HC Deb 15 November 1974 vol 881 cc257-60W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of working conditions and equipment on the unregistered wharves on the rivers Ouse, Trent and Humber.

Mr. Harold Walker

Statutory requirements relating to safe working conditions and safe equipment at non-scheme wharves in the area mentioned are contained in the Factories Act 1961 and its subordinate legislation, especially the Docks Regulations 1934. During their visits my inspectors check compliance with these requirements and, as required, investigate reportable accidents. In addition they discuss with employers and employees any matters affecting safety which come to their notice.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many visits 2,500 people a year, but not all places are taken up.

I regret that figures for separate local authority areas are not available. Outside skillcentres, the Training Opportunities Scheme makes full use of facilities in colleges of further education and approved employers' establishments as necessary. On 30th September 1974 there were 2,443 trainees under training in these establishments in Scotland.

the Department's Factory Inspector has made to each of the unregistered wharves of the rivers Ouse, Trent and Humber for each of the years since 1970.

Mr. Harold Walker

I regret that the information is not available in the detail requested. In the area covered by the district offices at Kingston upon Hull, Leeds East, Wakefield and Grimsby, factory inspectors made the following numbers of visits to non-scheme wharves in the years since 1970:

1970 16
1971 16
1972 30
1973 19
1974 18
(to date).

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many deaths have occurred on the unregistered wharves on the rivers Ouse, Trent and Humber for each of the years since 1970.

Mr. Harold Walker

No deaths have occurred as a result of accidents reportable under the Factories Act legislation at non-scheme wharves in the area covered by the District Inspectors of Factories based on Kingston upon Hull, Wakefield, Leeds East and Grimsby.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many accidents have been reported of workers on the unregistered wharves on the rivers Ouse, Trent and Humber for each of the years since 1970.

Mr. Harold Walker

In the area covered by the District Inspectors of Factories based on Kingston upon Hull, Wakefield, Leeds East and Grimsby, the following accidents at non-scheme wharves have been reported under Factories Act legislation since 1970:

1970 14
1971 13
1972 21
1973 18
1974 (to date) 17

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are

Wages Councils which have threshold agreements in operation Effective date of Wages Regulation Order
Aerated Waters (England and Wales) 1st October 1974
Aerated Waters (Scotland)* 4th October 1974
Boot and Shoe Repairing 9th October 1974
Button Manufacturing 3rd May 1974
Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making 28th October 1974
Cotton Waste Reclamation 21st October 1974
Flax and Hemp 12th October 1974
General Waste Materials Reclamation 19th July 1974
Hollow-ware 7th May 1974
Keg and Drum 16th October 1974
Lace Finishing 11th July 1974
Laundry 8th July 1974
Licensed Non-Residential Establishment 5th November 1974
Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restauran 7th October 1974
Milk Distributive (Scotland) 21st October 1974
Ostrich and Fancy Feather and Artificial Flower 22nd October 1974
Perambulator and Invalid Carriage 15th July 1974
Retail Bespoke Tailoring (Scotland) 29th May 1974
Retail Bookselling and Stationery Trades 12th August 1974
Retail Bread and Flour Confectionery Trade (England and Wales) 5th August 1974
Retail Bread and Flour Confectionery Trade (Scotland) 5th November 1974
Retail Drapery, Outfitting and Footwear Trades 2nd September 1974
Retail Food Trades (England and Wales) 21st October 1974
Retail Food Trades (Scotland) 30th September 1974
Rope, Twine and Net 14th June 1974
Sack and Bag 28th June 1974
Wages Councils which have threshold agreements yet to become effective Effective date of Wages Regulation Order
Paper Box 5th December 1974
Retail Furnishing and Allied Trades 16th December 1974
Road Haulage 9th December 1974
Toy Manufacturing 19th November 1974
* Aerated Waters Wages Council (Scotland) has issued proposals to extend its threshold agreement by a further three months.

being taken to investigate the cause of the death of a worker on the unregistered wharf at Howdendyke; and what steps he intends to take to improve the safety of cranes used at these wharves.

Mr. Harold Walker

The accident which unfortunately resulted recently in the death of a worker near a non-scheme wharf at Howdendyke was not reportable under Factories Act legislation. The safety of cranes installed at wharves is subject to the provisions of the Docks Regulations 1934, and my inspectors will continue to pay particular attention to the safety of such equipment during the course of their visits.