§ Mr. William Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) what percentage of premises which require to be examined under the provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 still require examination for the first time; and when she 24W estimates that such examinations will be completed;
(2) how many premises which require to be examined under the provisions of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963 have been examined but have still not been certified as complying with the Act.
§ Mr. FernyhoughI would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's report on the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act for 1967. This estimated that by the end of that year approximately 80 per cent. of local authorities had inspected more than 75 per cent. of registered premises in their areas. By the same date H.M. Factory Inspectorate had inspected 76 per cent. of the registered premises for which they were responsible and H.M. Inspectorate of Mines and Quarries 78 per cent. I hope that in most areas the remaining initial general inspections will be completed by the end of 1968. Occupiers have a continuing duty and it is not the practice of inspectors to certify that premises comply with the provisions of the Act.