§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new instructions he has given to the Health and Safety Executive concerning the carrying out of studies of over 25 people relating to stress, working hours, fatigue or safety; and which proposed studies by the HSE have been abandoned as a result. [16216]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has given no new instructions to the Health and Safety Executive concerning studies in these areas.
§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Health and Safety Executive is required to obtain ministerial permission before conducting surveys of more then 25 people; and what recent changes there have been in this respect. [16212]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Health and Safety Executive is required to obtain ministerial permission before conducting surveys of 25 or more people in accordance with the Prime Minister's instructions on the control of statistical surveys, which were issued to all Government Departments in August 1994. This is because the Government need to strike the balance between burdens on businesses and the need to collect information for Government purposes. No recent changes have been made in this respect.
§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new instructions he has given concerning departmental approval of studies of over 25 people relating to stress, working hours, fatigue or safety. [16215]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has given no new instructions concerning departmental approval of studies in these areas.