HC Deb 27 March 1973 vol 853 cc1075-6
6. Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many firms were prosecuted by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Factories during 1972.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

During 1972 1,527 firms were prosecuted under the Factories Act and other legislation administered by Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate.

Mr. Price

Why were there not more? Are not many industrialists getting away with outrageous malpractices merely because there are not enough factory inspectors to go round? When will the Factory Inspectorate be big enough to do the job properly?

Mr. Macmillan

The hon. Gentleman is drawing a totally unwarranted conclusion from the figures I have given. In 1968 there were 928 prosecutions; in 1969, 1,050; in 1970, 1,185; in 1971, 1,315 and in 1972, 1,527. Prosecutions are taken when they appear to be necessary. There are other factors to be taken into account, and there are also other methods of ensuring that the law is complied with and that proper precautions are taken.

Sir Gilbert Longden

Will my right hon. Friend say when action will be taken on the Robens Report?

Mr. Macmillan

Yes, I hope very soon to be in a position to give the House more details on this. The Government have accepted the principle of the Robens Report, which underlines what I have just said. While recognising the need to keep a statutory backing of the health and safety regulations, it emphasised strongly the need for the co-operation of management and workpeople in protecting people at work by prevention as well as by prosecution.

Mr. Harold Walker

Notwithstanding the Government's acceptance of the principle of the Robens Report, will the right hon. Gentleman accept that the Opposition have some reservations? Will he assure the House that before the Government commit themselves to proposals we shall have an opportunity to discuss the principles and philosophy of the report?

Mr. Macmillan

Two questions are involved. There is the question of organisation and there is the question of the methods that that organisation will use. It is on the second that consultation with employers and unions is most essential. Part of the Robens concept is that the methods of ensuring safety and health at work will in the first instance be applied through a body on which unions and employers are represented, and that is why consultation is so important.