HC Deb 12 February 1958 vol 582 cc46-7W
72. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Minister of Labour why, despite assurances given in the House of Commons on 13th December, 1956, and 18th April, 1957, no announcement has yet been made about revision of the Dock Regulations, 1934.

Mr. Carr

The previous replies to which the hon. Member refers indicated that we were discussing this question with the organisations primarily concerned, but that the practical problems were extremely complicated and that the making of new regulations might not be the best course to follow. Further discussions have confirmed this doubt and my right hon. Friend is considering what other action might be taken.

Mr. Skeffington

asked the Minister of Labour how many inspections were made of docks, wharves and quays in 1939, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1956 and 1957, respectively; and how many warnings were given about breaches in the Dock Regulations, 1934; and how many prosecutions arose.

Mr. Carr

I regret that much of this information is not available.

The number of visits to docks, wharves and quays, and shipbuilding operations in 1956 was 3,274: there are no similar figures for earlier years and those for 1957 are not yet available. There is no general record of the number of warnings given about breaches in the regulations. The numbers of prosecutions for breaches of the regulations are not available for 1939 and 1945; for 1950, 1955, 1956 and 1957 they were four, eight, ten and five, respectively.