§ 9. Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to extend the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to students in schools, universities and other institutions of further and higher education.
§ Mr. John GrantI am advised by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that schools, universities and other institutions of further and higher education are already covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. The interests of students are taken into account by provisions of the Act intended to protect the health and safety of other people who may be affected by the activities of an undertaking.
§ Mrs. WiseDoes my hon. Friend accept that it is not really satisfactory to cover the interests of students indirectly? It would be much fairer if the Act was extended to cover students directly. It is an anomalous situation that young people of the same age, who are handling the same substances and the same equipment, can be covered directly or indirectly according to whether they are technicians or students. Will my hon. Friend consider this matter, and discuss it with the National Union of Teachers and the National Union of students?
§ Mr. GrantI take the point. The Health and Safety Commission has directed the Health and Safety Executive to study the conditions of work in schools, colleges and universities. We should await the report before making any preliminary judgments.