§ 51. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action she intends to take to reduce the industrial accident rate and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. FernyhoughI would refer my hon. Friend to the analysis of the problem of industrial accidents in the letter of presentation to the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1967. The Industrial Safety Advisory Council advises my right hon. Friend on measures to promote safety in industry. Priority is being given to work on safety training in close co-operation with the machinery set up under the Industrial Training Act, and to joint consultation on safety.
A start has been made on a major revision of safety, health and welfare legislation. The strength of Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate has been built up 7W in certain specialist fields and an additional method of recruitment to the general inspectorate will be introduced from 1st January, 1969. While legislation and enforcement have an important part to play in accident prevention, there will be an effective reduction in the number of accidents only if management and employees fully understand and accept their own responsibilities.