§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that exemptions to the statutory limits on the hours of work of women and young persons are not used to create an established work pattern in those factories where special exemption orders are granted; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that a special exemption order is valid for a maximum of one year. Renewal is not automatic. The employer 83W must apply in writing and the Health and Safety Executive carefully reviews each application before reaching a decision. Whenever any significant change in the circumstances has taken place, the factory is visited and the views of all parties concerned are ascertained.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many special exemption orders under Section 117 of the Factories Act are currently in force; and how many of these are the result of renewals of previous special exemption orders.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that on 30th November 1975. 3,303 orders were currently in force; of these, 2,788 were the result of renewals of previous special exemption orders.