§ Mr. Alexander Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if there has been any change in the status of the post of the Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work, &c., Act.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that there has been no change in the status of the post of the Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 except that he is now appointed by the Health and Safety Executive under the provisions of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act rather than by the Secretary of State for Energy under the provisions of the 1954 Mines and Quarries Act.
§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what changes have been introduced into the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Saftey Commission that the only changes introduced into the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate since the coming into force of the Health and Safety at Work Act are that the Mines and Quarries Inspectors are now part of the staff of the Health and Safety Executive and are appointed as inspectors under section 19 of the Act and carry out their duties in accordance with the provisions of that Act.
§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if it is now the practice to allow the inspection of mining undertakings to be carried out by people other than mining engineers.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that it is not.