HC Deb 05 December 1977 vol 940 cc529-31W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the reasons for the delay in accepting and publishing the Howie Committee's report on medical laboratory safety;

(2) what financial resources he intenas to make available in order that the recommendations in the Howie Report can be implemented;

(3) whether, in the light of the Howie Report, he accepts the view of the Health and Safety Community that Crown immunity should be waived in relation to health and safety in matters in the National Health Service and that these should in future be covered by the Health and Safety at Work, &c. Act;

(4) if the recommendations in the Howie Report constitute the basis for an approved code of practice in the National Health Service; and if he considers that any code of practice should come under the auspices of the Health and Safety at Work, &c. Act.

Mr. Moyle

There has been no delay in accepting the findings of the Working Party on the Prevention of Infection in Clinical Laboratories—Howie Committee—as its report has not yet been formally submitted to my Department. A draft report was submitted earlier in the year for the purpose of consultation with the appropriate professional bodies, and the working party has recently met to consider the resulting comments. As soon as the report is submitted in its final form, my Department will undertake consultation with the health authorities regarding its implementation. The consultations will cover the timing and resource implications, bearing in mind the wide variations in the resources required for different types of laboratory in different parts of the country, and other priorities for the National Health Service.

My Department will also consult with the Health and Safety Executive on the possible future status of any agreed code under the Health and Safety at Work, &c. Act. The National Health Service is covered by the Health and Safety at Work, &c. Act 1974 except in so far as health authorities are, like other Crown bodies, not liable to prosecution or to the serving of prohibition or improvement notices. I am aware of the Health and Safety Commission's view about Crown immunity from these penal provisions and am currently considering this in collaboration with those of my ministerial colleagues who also have an interest in the matter.