§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the proposals for lifting of heavy weights by employees' regulations; what is the composition of the working party to examine the matter; and when he expects to lay the regulations before Parliament.
§ Mr. Mayhew[pursuant to his reply, 21 April 1980, c. 2]: As stated in my written reply on 24 January 1980—[Vol. 977, c. 351.]—the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) considered draft proposals from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for regulations and guidance on 18 December 1979, and decided to set up a working party to formulate general guidance for those responsible for designing work systems and for supervising work. The content of the regulations would need to be reconsidered in the light of the revised guidance. I have, however, been in touch with the chairman of the Commission about the possibility of making faster progress with this difficult subject, and I am pleased to say that he has promised that the Commission will reconsider the matter at the earliest opportunity.