HC Deb 31 March 1980 vol 982 cc81-2W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether building regulations to ensure safety of construction will be repealed in so far as they affect the proposed free enterprise zones.

Mr. Biffen

No.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the statutes existing prior to 1974 relating to health and safety at work, such as the 1961 Factories Act, will be repealed in so far as they affect the proposed free enterprise zones.

Mr. Biffen

No.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Customs and Excise and VAT inspectors will be permitted in the proposed free enterprise zones and allowed to carry out their duties under statute.

Mr. Biffen

Yes.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Truck Acts, National Insurance Acts and related legislation relating to payments of wages in full with only statutory deductions permitted, will be enforced in the proposed free enterprise zones.

Mr. Biffen

Yes.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether weights and measures and consumer protection officials will be permitted to carry out their duties in the proposed free enterprise zones.

Mr. Biffen

Yes.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he proposes to define the proposed free enterprise zones; and if there will be a physical barrier to such zones with entry points where entrants will be subject to scrutiny.

Mr. Biffen

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment —where appropriate my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland—will consult the local authorities concerned with each of the proposed sites, and will determine the boundary of the areas to be designated. The boundary will be specified in the designation order which will be laid before the House. There will be no physical boundary to enterprise zones.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether factory inspectors and local authority inspectors will be allowed into proposed free enterprise zones to carry out statutory duties; and whether other statutory duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc. 1974, the Employment Protection Act 1978 and associated regulations, will be enforced in such areas.

Mr. Biffen

Yes.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Common Market Commission has been consulted regarding the proposed free enterprise zones; and whether regulations and directives will be expected to apply or whether a derogation has been obtained.

Mr. Biffen

The Commission of the European Community has been informed of the Government's intention to establish enterprise zones. No derogation from existing regulations and directives has been sought.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if uncontrolled dumping of nuclear and toxic wastes will be allowed in the proposed free enterprise zones.

Mr. Biffen

No.