§ Mr. Tom Kingasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the recommendations for action by Government made in the NEDO working sector report for the ferous foundries industry together with details of the action taken by Government to implement those recommendations.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldAs follows:—
Recommendation.—Means should be found by the Department of the Environment to smooth demand for emission control equipment.Action taken.—The Department of Industry and the Department of the Environment have discussed the timing of regulations and their impact on the demands for such equipment so as to help to meet the recommendation.Recommendation.—The Health and Safety at Work Act should be implemented, taking into account the overall investment plans of foundries.Action taken.—The Health and Safety Executive, whose inspectorates have a statutory duty to enforce the Health and Safety at Work Act and its relevant statutory provisions, has considered the recommendation and what can be done about it. Its response is now with NEDO. Meanwhile the Executive's inspectorates are co-operating with the industry within the forum of the Joint Standing Committee on Health, Safety and Welfare in Foundries. The Health and Safety Commission intend to set up an Industry Advisory Committee for the foundry industry.Recommendation.—The EDC recommends that consultation should take place with employees' representatives when financial support is being applied for and that the names of recipient firms should be published.Action taken.—Consultation has taken place on nearly all the projects for which assistance has been approved. A list of companies whose projects had been approved was published in 435W Trade and Industry on 20th August 1976. Offers of assistance will be published in Trade and Industry in the first quarter following that in which the first payment is made. The first such list was published on 22nd October 1976.Recommendation.—Vigilance is needed to ensure that no irregular exports of scrap take place.Action taken.—Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are alive to this danger and will undertake further investigation as appropriate.