§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any proposals to introduce legislation to amend the Mines and Quarries Act 1954; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsLast December my Department issued a consultative document entitled "Restrictions on Employment of Young People and the Removal of Sex Discrimination in Legislation", which put forward a number of proposals for amending, among other legislation, the Mines and Quarries Act 1954. The Government are giving careful consideration to the responses they have received. Also the Health and Safety Commission, in consultation with the employers and unions, is engaged in drawing up a comprehensive series of regulations and codes under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which is intended to replace the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 and associated legislation. The new legislation is designed to maintain and improve standards of health and safety and take account of technological developments.