HC Deb 12 June 1973 vol 857 cc273-4W
32. Mr. David James

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied that sufficient progress is being made in reducing the accident rate in scaffolding work.

Mr. Dudley Smith

No. I have for some time been concerned about scaffolding safety. This is why I set up last year a sub-committee of the Joint Advisory Committee on Safety and Health in the Construction Industries to look into the problem. It is meeting next week to complete work on its report to the main committee, of which I am chairman. Subject to the committee's agreement, I hope to publish the report in due course.

33. Mr. Idris Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for improving standards of safety in the construction industry.

Mr. Dudley Smith

As I said in reply to a Question on this subject on 7th November last, we are constantly trying to improve standards of accident prevention on construction sites and increasing efforts on this are being made by the Factory Inspectorate.—[Vol. 845, c. 797.] Future developments are of course closely connected with the implementation of the Robens Report recommendations. In the meantime, the Chief Inspector is considering how to make more effective use of his resources.