§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women were registered as unemployed; and how many vacancies were listed at the employment offices in Haverhill, Bury St. Edmunds and New-market in November and December of the years 1963, 1968, 1973 and 1975, respectively.
§ Mr. John FraserFollowing is the information available:
are applied to all insulation work within the CEGB South-Eastern Region and in particular to sub-contractors working for the Board.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Asbestos Regulations 1969 apply to all factories including CEGB power stations and construction 551W sites where they may be exposure to asbestos dust and the Health and Safety Executive is active in enforcing them. Many employers have produced practical guidance on the detailed application of the regulations in relation to their work activities and the Executive welcomes these initiatives. I understand that the CEGB requires contractors carrying out insulation work in power stations to conform to the code of practice which it has issued. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Asbestos Regulations but it has no powers to enforce the provisions of codes of practice prepared by individual industries.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that prohibition and improvement notices are issued by factory inspectors within the South-Eastern Region of the CEGB at power stations where insulation work is being carried out if the conditions so require.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that improvement and prohibition notices are issued by Her Majesty's factory inspectors whenever working conditions are such that, in their opinion, it is appropriate to do so.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to assure itself that it is satisfied that the insulation industry carries out its work according to the relevant legislation; what measures he is taking to encourage employees in that industry to seek the advice and guidance of the Factory Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerSection 18 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on the Health and Safety Executive to make adequate arrangements for the enforcement of the relevant statutory provisions, which include the Asbestos Regulations 1969. It is unnecessary, therefore, to issue instructions to the Executive about the insulation industry. The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that factory inspectors have spent much time discussing the health risks from asbestos with representatives of workers in the insulation industry, including taking part552W in local branch meetings with trade unions and workers' representatives particularly in East London and Glasgow. In these discussions it has been made clear that employees may at any time seek advice and guidance from Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate.