§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what monitoring procedures his Department has for the safety of explosive or dangerous materials both of a civil and a military nature carried by road; and if he is satisfied with existing safeguards;
(2) if he will define his responsibilities for the safety of explosive and dangerous materials transported by road.
§ Dr. GilbertMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has power to make regulations for the carriage by road of dangerous substances, including explosives, under the Health and Safety at Work &c. Act 1974 and the Radioactive Substances Act 1948. He is also responsible for existing regulations made under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 and the Explosives Act 1875. The carriage of military explosives by road is the subject of regulations for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is responsible.
Enforcement of regulations for which the Secretary of State for the Environment is responsible is generally undertaken by 14W local authorities, the police, Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive, and staff of the Department of the Environment.
The Health and Safety Commission, which has a statutory duty to make proposals to the Secretary of State for securing the general purposes of the Health and Safety at Work Act, is considering whether it is necessary to extend existing controls for the carriage of dangerous goods by road.