§ Mr. Cryerasked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he has drawn up a safety policy for the House; 373W where this policy is available to employees; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. Arthur BottomleyA statement of policy on health and safety for the House was agreed on 6 February 1976 by the heads of the then five Departments, after consultation with the recognised unions. It was made available to all members of staff at that time and was subsequently included as an appendix in the second edition of the staff handbook, copies of which were given to all staff employed in June 1976 and have been given to all new entrants since then. Steps are being taken to make copies available to staff of the refreshment department who became employees of the Commission on 1 April 1980. I am arranging for a copy of the statement to be placed in the Library.