§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has collated on the number of prosecutions against contractors for dangerous plumbing and electrical work in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [25839]
§ Dr. Whitehead[holding answer 9 January 2002]: The Health and Safety Executive is the main enforcing authority for health and safety legislation in the work 10W place. In the most recent year for which they have complete figures, April 2000 to March 2001, they were able to identify only one contractor who was prosecuted for dangerous electrical work. There may be other cases involving contractors in which electrical safety was a minor element which have not been identified. They were unable to identify any prosecutions for dangerous plumbing.
HSE has a complete record only of prosecutions it has carried out under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related legislation dealing with health and safety in the workplace. HSE is not the sole enforcing authority. Health and safety in some premises, including shops, offices and warehouses, is enforced by local authorities. HSE does not have full information on the prosecutions carried out by these authorities.