§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will undertake to consult with industry, including trade unions, before reorganising the Factory Inspectorate on a regional basis, which will result in the closure of local offices of the Factory Inspectorate throughout Great Britain.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and18W Safety Commission that the two trial schemes set up to test the proposals for reorganisation are still in operation. The implementation of the proposals will depend on the final assessment of the schemes which is soon to be made. Before any decision on reorganisation is implemented, the Factory Inspectorate will consult locally with both sides of industry to ensure that existing levels of communication between them are maintained or where possible strengthened.