HC Deb 27 February 1973 vol 851 cc1264-6
8. Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has now been made in consultations on the Robens Report on Safety and Health at Work; and whether he can say when he proposes to introduce legislation.

Mr. Dudley Smith

We have obtained general reactions from nearly 100 non-Government organisations; discussion of particular aspects is continuing both within and outside Government. My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce legislation in the 1973–74 Session.

Mr. Skeet

I was hoping that my hon. Friend would say it was to be next week. Is he aware that the report was presented about nine months ago and that there has been ample opportunity to consult the hundred different organisations? Will my hon. Friend indicate where the shoe is pinching? Is it on the unified inspectorate or on the voluntary approach?

Mr. Smith

The proposals are very wide-ranging and raise a number of complicated issues. In undertaking a measure of comprehensive reform of this type it is essential to get the basic decisions right. As I have said, my right hon. Friend hopes to introduce legislation next Session. I think that that is reasonable in the circumstances.

Mr. Heffer

Where there are existing regulations, for example the building regulations, is it proposed that they should continue in force or are the Government discussing the idea of unifying regulations of this type in general regulations throughout industry?

Mr. Smith

A whole range of regulations is being discussed from the point of view of unification. The object is to promote a more self-regulating system of health and safety at work. This has to be worked out in consultation, and it is very important to get the right advice from those concerned. It is important to have a strong back-up of powerful sanctions. Provided we have those, I believe that no one need worry that the new regulations will not do better than the old ones.

Mr. Simeons

Will my hon. Friend comment on the division between the duties of factory inspectors and those of alkali inspectors and say whether the division makes the job of controlling emissions more difficult?

Mr. Smith

There is a very distinct division at the moment. It is far from clear in the public mind on occasions which authority is responsible. It is one of the difficulties to which the Robens Report drew attention and one that the Government are currently considering. It is a matter of some importance.

Mr. Harold Walker

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that every measure put forward by the Labour Government for two years was resisted by the then Opposition because, it was said, we were waiting for Robens? Are we now to wait two years for Macmillan, as appears to be the case? May we have an assurance that before the Government commit themselves to any final policy on this matter they will include this House in their consultations?

Mr. Smith

The hon. Gentleman knows that that is not a matter for me. It is one for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. But how right we were to resist legislation proposed by the Labour Government in view of Robens. The report is extremely comprehensive. The fact that there is a delay of a Session is not unrealistic in the circumstances. This will be a major piece of legislation and we have to get it right if it is to be effective.