§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in the light of his reply to the hon. Member for Essex South-East on 9th November, he will now consider when the consultative document on the need for improved safety regulations for highly inflammable liquids and gases will be published; and when it is hoped to bring legislation before Parliament.
§ Mr. John Grant:I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that as a first step in the preparation of regulations for fuel gases the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (ACDS) has set up a sub-committee to examine problems associated with such gases and to make recommendations as to what controls should be introduced. The ACDS is also in the course of appointing a further sub-committee which will review and consider proposals for developing the present provisions for the use and storage of highly flammable liquids.
After the recommendations of the subcommittees have been considered by the Advisory Committee, the Health and Safety Commission will arrange for consultative documents to be published setting out its proposals. In view of the wide application of the regulations and the other proposals, extensive consultations with interested parties will be necessary and it is too early to say exactly when the legislation will be introduced.