§ Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions took place with industry and the trade unions before exemptions were made to Regulation 9(1) of The Abrasive Wheels Regulations, 1970.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithH.M. Chief Inspector of Factories has, in accordance with his powers under Regulation 5 of the Abrasive Wheels Regulations, 1970, issued the following certificates of exemption from Regulation 9(1), which refers to the training and appointment of persons to mount abrasive wheels.
28th August, 1970 Certificate No. 1 (Abrasive wheels used in the manufacture of crystal glass). 13th October, 1970 Certificate No. 3 (Certain types of wheels used in a variety of industries). 7th July, 1971 Certificate No. 7 (Certain types of wheels used in the manufacture of pottery). Certificate No. 1 was issued following the public inquiry into the draft regulations when both sides of industry expressed agreement on the subject of exemption, a view supported by the Com- 32W missioner.I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Commissioner's report. Certificate No. 3 is the subject of another question today by the hon. Member.
Certificate No. 7 was issued following an application by the British Pottery Manufacturers' Federation. Details of the application were sent to the Ceramic and Allied Trades Union on 14th April, 1971, and on 21st May the Chief Inspector was informed that the union's council could not agree to any exemption. As a further letter, dated 7th June, asking for the specific grounds of objection did not receive a reply, he decided that as there was no significant risk of the wheels concerned bursting, he would issue the certificate.
§ Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for Employment what recommendations he received before issuing Exemption No. 3 in respect of the Abrasive Wheels Regulations, 1970.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe exemption in question was issued by FI.M. Chief Inspector of Factories, who considered that the requirements of Regulation 9(1) of the Abrasive Wheels Regulations, 1970, referring to the training and appointment of persons to mount abrasive wheels, were inapplicable to certain types of abrasive wheels where the methods of mounting did not call for any particular skill or special instruction and where there was no significant risk of bursting.
He wrote to the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress on 3rd July, 1970, informing them of his proposal to exempt these wheels from Regulation 9(1) and seeking their comments. Neither body raised any objection to the proposal and the Chief Inspector accordingly issued certificate of exemption No. 3 on 13th October, 1970.
§ Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for Employment, how many summonses have been issued by Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate under the Abrasive Wheels Regulations, 1970.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithSo far, four summonses have been issued on the Inspectorate's application.