§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the report of the Equal Opportunities Commission on aspects of health and safety legislation which make distinctions between men and women, he will introduce legislation to remove the restrictions on shift work, night work and overtime for women.
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§ Mr. MayhewThe report of the Equal Opportunities Commission on those aspects of health and safety legislation which make distinctions between men and women will be generally available in mid-July. The report invites comment and I expect that there will be considerable public reaction to its recommendations.
I have written to the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, which has the duty to propose changes in the statutory requirements which protect women at work, asking him to give consideration to any need for changes in the light of reactions to the report of the Equal Opportunities Commission and to submit proposals to me. In my letter I have stated that I attach considerable importance to following up the recommendations in that report.
Changes in the statutory requirements affecting shift work, night work or overtime for women which are "relevant statutory provisions" under section 53 of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act can be made by means of regulations made under section 15 of that Act. No new Act of Parliament is, therefore, required.