§ 49. Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ask his Factory Inspectorate to conduct an investigation into the effectiveness of the factory safety legislation in the Birmingham district; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am satisfied that the existing safety legislation is as effective in Birmingham as elsewhere. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act will extend the scope of such legislation and provide new enforcement procedures. Regarding present enforcement, 6,383 visits were made in 1973 by inspectors based in the four districts that cover Birmingham and the surrounding area. These inspectors also took 111 prosecutions during 1973 involving 382 charges.