Health and Safety

HC Deb 18 April 1978 vol 948 cc113-4W

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those with whom he has consulted in the public sector on health and safety matters; what priority has been given in these talks to additional resources being required to implement these plans and what priority was given to these being made available.

Mr. John Grant

The Government consider that the present allocation of resources to bodies in the public sector is sufficient to enable them to meet fully all their existing obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, including their obligations under the safety representatives and safety committees regulations coming into force on 1st October 1978.

In so far as regulatory measures under the Act are concerned, their development is the policy responsibility of the Health and Safety Commission, and before submitting proposals for any such measures to the Government for approval, the Commission is required to carry out appropriate consultations with Government Departments and other bodies concerned. The bodies consulted will, of course, vary according to the nature and intended application of particular proposals but, where appropriate, those responsible for the allocation of resources to public sector bodies likely to be affected are included. This ensures that their views on the proposals and on their priority and expenditure implications can be taken into account before they are approved and brought into operation.

I understand, that, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Social Services said on 14th April in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend, discussions are about to start between the Health and Safety Executive and officials of the Health Departments on the results of a pilot study which has been carried out in this area of employment. Similar studies are being carried out in other sectors of employment newly brought within the scope of health and safety legislation and the results of these studies will also be the subject of discussion with departments and bodies concerned.