HC Deb 22 June 1978 vol 952 cc298-9W
Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much additional finance will be available to his Department for implementation of the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1975; and how much of this will relate to the National Health Service.

Mr. Moyle

In accordance with general Government policy to contain the size and cost of the Civil Service, no additional resources are to be made available for the implementation of the Act in my Department. So far as the National Health Service is concerned, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Hoyle) on 13th April.

Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will waive Crown immunity against prosecution in relation to compliance with the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1975 in hospitals in the National Health Service.

Mr. Moyle

As my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Employment, explained in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. Hoyle) on 13th June—[Vol. 951, c.510]—the Health and Safety Commission has provided my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment with a paper about its views on the removal of the Crown's immunity from enforcement and prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act, and Ministers will be considering the views which the Commission has expressed.