44. Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when she plans to introduce legislation along the lines indicated in the document entitled "New Safety, Health and Welfare Legislation".
§ Mr. FernyhoughI regret that I am not yet in a position to say when the proposed legislation will come before the House. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, this is a very complex subject entailing a lot of consultation with interested parties, but we are pressing ahead as fast as we can.
Mr. FletcherThis matter has now been under discussion for very many months and it is now urgent. May I press my hon. Friend to make a statement to the House at the earliest possible opportunity announcing the Government's intention to introduce legislation on the subject?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI give my hon. Friend a firm promise now that it is our intention during the lifetime of this Parliament to endeavour to bring the new Bill forward.