§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of Crown immunity for vehicle inspectorate testing stations, with regard to all health and safety laws and regulations, following privatisation.
§ Mr. KeyThe vehicle inspectorate already complies with health and safety legislation, but, under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, as a Crown body, it is immune from prosecution. If the testing activities of the inspectorate were transferred to a private sector employer, that immunity would be removed. My right hon. Friend will not reach a firm decision on the future of vehicle inspectorate testing until he has had an opportunity to consider a report by external consultants on the scope for transfer to the private sector, and consulted those trades unions concerned on his provisional conclusions.