§ The Earl of Shrewsburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) cover (a) the Palace of Westminster; (b) other Royal Palaces; and (c) government buildings.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Employment (Viscount Ullswater)The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) do not apply to the Palace of Westminster but the standards required by the regulations are applied by agreement.
Royal Palaces are domestic premises and, as such, are not generally subject to the Health and Safety at Work (HSW Act). Section 3 of the Act, however, which states that it is the duty of every employer, and of every self-employed person, to conduct their undertakings in such a way as to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment are not exposed to risks to their health and safety, would probably apply if an activity at one of the palaces (e.g., the work of a contractor) could be construed as "work activity" within the meaning of the HSW Act.
The Health and Safety at Work Act applies to Crown activities and government bodies are expected to comply fully with health and safety legislation. However, because of the constitutional position of the Crown, they are immune from the normal sanctions and penalties available under the Act.