§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will extend the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act to all floating hotels and other floating structures in the North Sea.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 already applies to those floating structures which are engaged in exploration for and exploitation of mineral resources in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea. All the " floating hotels " which are currently operating in that sector fall within the relevant definition, and the Act applies to a wide range of specified activities on attendant vessels. I therefore see no immediate need to extend the Act to any other floating structures or activities, but I am asking the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission to keep this under review.