§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the current dispute between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers concerning the level of dust in certain coal mines, he will ask the Health and Safety Commission to make an immediate investigation into this matter as it is entitled to do under the Health 112W and Safety at Work &c. Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that it would not be appropriate for the Health and Safety Commission to undertake an investigation of that kind under the Health and Safety at Work &c. Act 1974. I understand that there are negotiations proceeding between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers about the future of one colliery, at Llangwith, in which possible dust levels have been represented as one of the relevant factors.
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy to the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on 12th January.—[Vol. 903, c. 3.]