§ 3. Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she remains satisfied with the application of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act to schools.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy right hon. Friend believes that it is right that staff and pupils in all educational establishments should have the same protection as other people covered by health and safety legislation.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is she aware that there is much confusion in education circles about the working of this Act? If there is a breach of the Act, who ultimately is responsible? Is it the county or the teachers? Is she aware that there are acute problems, particularly with laboratory stores in schools, surrounding the provisions of the Act?
§ Miss JacksonI shall write to my hon. Friend on the question of where responsibility ultimately lies. I am a little surprised to hear him say that there are great problems already, because the only regulations which have been implemented so far are those which deal with safety representatives and committees. We are only just beginning an inspection to see what further work is still needed. It is too early to make judgments about the implications.