§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that landlords comply with the amendment made to regulation 35 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1996: and if he will make a statement. [10952]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordGas safety publicity is an important plank in the Health and Safety Commission's strategy for promoting compliance by duty holders with gas safety legislation. The duties enjoined on relevant landlords by the second amendment to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994, as amended, are the primary focus of the commission's current gas-related carbon monoxide poisoning publicity campaign.
Enforcement of the 1994 regulations is a priority activity for the Health and Safety Executive. There was more than a tenfold increase in formal enforcement action against landlords for breaches of regulation 35A in 1995–96 compared with 1994–95. Enforcement of the 1994 regulations, including the second amendment, will continue to be a priority activity for the HSE.