HC Deb 17 February 1986 vol 92 cc7-8
6. Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what recent representations he has received about the implications for safety in the gas industry of the legislation to privatise the British Gas Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Walker

I have received a number of representations. As the hon. Lady knows, the Gas Bill strengthens and extends the existing safety arrangements.

Mrs. Clwyd

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that privatisation of the industry will place additional responsibilities on the Health and Safety Executive? Does he agree that since 1979 the executive's staff has decreased by 13 per cent. and that the number of inspectors has decreased by 15 per cent.? What assurance can the right hon. Gentleman give on safety?

Mr. Walker

Staffing is a matter for my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. The Health and Safety Commission is fully satisfied that it can carry out these duties. I am sure that it will do them very well.

Mr. Michael Morris

Has not safety in the gas industry been of paramount importance throughout its long history? Are there not many industries in the private sector dealing with dangerous substances which have an excellent safety record?

Mr. Walker

Yes, Sir. We took advantage of the presentation of the Gas Bill to improve in a number of ways the legislation applying to the gas industry. The industry's excellent safety record will therefore continue and, if anything, will be improved.

Mr. Lofthouse

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Gas Bill, which is in Committee, will enable the private sector to have the right of entry into people's homes for safety purposes? Does the right hon. Gentleman have any plans for controls to prevent abuses of that right?

Mr. Walker

That will be looked at in the normal way. The only right of entry into people's homes will be in the interest of safety. I have received no complaints on this issue.

Mr. Squire

I welcome the privatisation of the industry, but I urge my right hon. Friend to consider the possible advantages of compulsory registration of all gas installers?

Mr. Walker

That is a matter for my noble Friend rather than for me. Progress is being made in the preparation of a proper code and a report will be made. One wants to avoid a highly bureaucratic and expensive system for which there is no real justification.

Mr. Frank Cook

Is it the practice of the British Gas Corporation to keep files on individuals who are opposed to privatisation and on members of their families, and to make them freely available to employees of the British Gas Corporation, in the same way as British Nuclear Fuels plc keeps files on those who are opposed to nuclear matters and on members of their families, and makes them freely available to employees? Who authorises that practice, and what will the right hon. Gentleman do to stop it?

Mr. Walker

There is a clear statement from British Nuclear Fuels plc that the hon. Gentleman's allegation is totally untrue. There is no justification for the remarks. The file of people opposed to the privatisation of the British Gas Corporation would be so thin that I would not bother.

Mr. Hickmet

What will be the future of the Gas Consumers Council after privatisation and will my right hon. Friend outline its role in monitoring safety standards?

Mr. Walker

I do not think that its role has been the monitoring of safety. That is an expert role, which the Health and Safety Executive will continue to fulfil. We have provided for a strong consumer council, and I think that it will be a very effective one.

Mr. Rowlands

During our debates on the Gas Bill we have become increasingly worried about the strength and manpower of the Health and Safety Executive for delivering the provisions under the Bill. Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the other Ministers to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive will have sufficient manpower to monitor the responsibilities given to it by the Bill? We need more, not fewer, inspectors for that purpose.

Mr. Walker

I am pleased to say that the Health and Safety Executive is confident that it will have more people devoting more time to that matter than ever before.