§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to transfer the railway inspectorate to the Health and Safety Executive.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have agreed with the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that officials should discuss the possibility of transferring the inspectorate's staff to the commission and whether an agency agreement can be made under section 13(1)(b) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to enable railway safety work to be undertaken. The discussions should be completed later this year, after which a decision will be made.