§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers of home workers have been prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act; and if the Health and Safety Executive has any plans for improving enforcement of the Act with respect to the working conditions of home workers.
§ Mr. MayhewI am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the number of employers of home workers prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work &c., Act is not separately recorded. The commission intends shortly to consult interested parties on the proposal that the existing provisions of the Factories Act 1961 relating to home workers should be replaced by regulations permitting a more effective enforcement.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps have been taken to ensure that employers in specified trades return lists of home workers to their local authorities twice a year; and if he intends to take any 572W action to extend the list of specified trades.
§ Mr. MayhewEmployers are required by section 133 of the Factories Act 1961 to keep copies of lists sent to local authorities and inspectors may ask to see them during inspections. I do not intend to alter the list of specified trades in view of the review being carried out by the Health and Safety Commission.