HC Deb 20 July 1976 vol 915 cc412-4W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when approval was given to the terms of the instrument appointing the members of the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will place a copy of the instrument in the Library.

Mr. John Grant

Approval was given to the terms of the letters of appointment sent by the Health and Safety Commission to the members of the executive at the same time as the Secretary of State's approval of each appointment was given. I am arranging for copies of these letters to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when approval was given to the appointment of (a) John Locke, (b) Bryan Harvey and (c) Eric Williams to the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. John Grant

Approval to the three appointments was given on 2nd December 1974.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the formalities, consultations and approvals specified in Section 10(5) and the Second Schedule to the Health and Safety at Work Act were followed for each appointment to the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. John Grant

Yes.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what date the Minister for the Civil Service approved the appointment of the members of the Health and Safety Executive under Section 10(5) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Second Schedule to that Act.

Mr. John Grant

Approval of appointments of members of the executive is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. The present members of the executive are John Locke, James Carver and Herbert Dunster. The Secretary of State approved their appointments on 2nd December 1974, 8th January 1976 and 25th February 1976, respectively.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what date the Health and Safety Executive met and authorised Bryan Harvey to sign the general warrant on their behalf and date it 1st January 1975.

Mr. John Grant

I am advised by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that there was no specific meeting at which the executive authorised Mr. Harvey to sign the general warrant. Mr. Harvey like the other two members of the executive had a general authority to perform any of the executive functions including the appointing of inspectors.