HL Deb 24 July 1984 vol 455 c162

2.52 p.m.

Baroness Vickers

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will introduce legislation concerning 10,000 registered gas installation contractors, as requested four years ago by the Confederation of Registered Gas Installers.

The Minister of State, Privy Council Office, and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)

My Lords, the Confederation of Registered Gas Installers already maintains a voluntary registration scheme. The Government feel it would be premature to introduce any new scheme, costly to industry, before assessing the effect of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, which are to be made shortly, and the increase in the membership of the voluntary scheme.

Baroness Vickers

My Lords, I thank the noble Minister for that reply. If these regulations are not satisfactory, will he consider bringing in some legislation to deal with this problem because so many people have recently been killed in gas accidents?

The Earl of Gowrie

My Lords, gas safety is an enormously important issue, as my noble friend argues. That is why I welcome the transfer of responsibility for nearly all the issues affecting gas safety to the Health and Safety Executive, which has a very good record in the enforcement of health and safety requirements.