§ 11. Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of deregulation with particular reference to health and safety. [20689]
§ Mr. FreemanThe programme to review health and safety legislation recommended by the Health and Safety Commission will simplify the mass of legislation. New enforcement procedures have been introduced which are designed to improve fairness, transparency and consistency without jeopardising any necessary protection.
§ Sir Sydney ChapmanAs there seems to be misunderstanding, whether genuine or contrived, will the Minister confirm that the purpose of the deregulation initiative is to get rid of unnecessary bureaucracy and in no way to compromise anyone's health or safety? Does he accept that there are at least some so-called health and safety measures which have nothing to do with protecting the individual or looking after their safety? Does he agree, therefore, that there should be an explanation of the purpose of every regulation and how it will be enforced?
§ Mr. FreemanAs I said in an earlier answer, there is no intention to remove necessary health protection for the consumer or for anyone else. We are after reductions in unnecessary bureaucracy, such as the abolition of 33 statutory notice and poster requirements. Many hon. Members will know of unnecessary and outdated regulations about posters, which are sometimes difficult to read. With the aid of modern technology, there are better ways to inform the work force of those regulations.
I can confirm that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has issued guidance to all Health and Safety Executive officers informing them of new and sensible procedures to take, whereby inspected firms are informed of what is wrong with the premises and what must be put right and they are given an informal right of appeal before, ultimately, an appeal is made to the courts.