§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the licence fee for explosive stores; whether this figure has been revised during the past year whether he now proposes to alter it; and, if so, to what figure.
§ Mr. John GrantAt present the maximum fee payable for a store licence is £2.25. This figure has obtained for some years. The Health and Safety Commission tells me that it has considered the need to increase this figure and will shortly be putting proposals to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment what statutory powers he has to modify fees chargeable for the granting of licences for explosive stores.
§ Mr. John GrantStatutory powers to modify licence fees exist under Section 15(3)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many visits are made on average to explosive stores under the Explosives Act 1875 and 1973 following the selection of the site and construction of the premises; and whether or not annual visits are made subsequently.
§ Mr. John GrantIt is the responsibility of the local authority to arrange for these visits, and no precise figures are therefore available to me. Such information as I have, however, suggests that each store is visited after construction and thereafter at least once a year.
Additionally, the Explosives Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive 201W do themselves visit a certain number of stores during the year, in conjunction with the local authority concerned, partly to consider particular problems and also to ensure that a common standard is maintained throughout the country.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost of clerical work attached to the granting of explosive stores licences; and what, on average are the other average costs attached to the granting of a licence.
§ Mr. John GrantThe local authorities carry out the clerical and other work involved in granting a licence. They gave some estimates of costs to the Health and Safety Commission, which has taken them fully into account in considering revision of the fees. Not surprisingly, the estimated figures show significant variations between different authorities.