HC Deb 21 May 1980 vol 985 cc201-3W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many topics are at present under consideration by the Health and Safety Executive and Commission for regulations and codes of practice; what they are; and when it is anticipated that they will come into operation.

Mr. Mayhew

The Health and Safety Commission has submitted proposals for regulations to me for approval on the following topics, recommending that they be implemented as soon as possible or on the dates indicatedAmendment of the Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) Regulations Amendment of the Coal and Other Mines (Fire and Rescue) Regulations Animal Products (Metrication) Leasing Arrangements (1 October 1980) Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences (1 January 1981)

I am advised that the commission is also considering proposals for regulations and/or approved codes of practice on the following topics which have not yet reached the stage of submission to Ministers for approval with specific proposals for implementation dates: Amendment to the Health and Safety (Agriculture) (Poisonous Substances) Regulations (consultative documents to be issued shortly) Amendment to the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations Amendment to the lists of Scheduled Works and Noxious or Offensive Gases Asbestos Insulation and Sprayed Coatings Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 Exemptions Dangerous Pathogens (Notification) Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road) Diving at Work Fees and Charges for Statutory Approvals Fees for Statutory Medical Examinations First Aid Hazardous Installations (Notification and Survey) Home workers Implementation of International Convention for Safe Containers Ionising Radiations Lead Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 (Conveyance by Road Exemptions) Pressurised Systems Safety Signs Various Proposals for Metrication of Existing Legislation

Regular information on specific matters which the commission is considering is made available in the Health and Safety Commission Newsletter issued every two months. Copies will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in view of the Prime Minister's statement of 13 May on the reduction by 75,000 of the Civil Service, what effect the cuts will have on the Health and Safety Executive, with special reference to the anticipated cuts in the ranks of qualified health and safety inspectors and support staff.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend has informed the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission of the Government's intentions to reduce Civil Service manpower further. The apportionment of these cuts within the Department of

Employees in employment Textile industry(1) Thousands Clothing & footwear industry
1978 1979 1978 1979
United Kingdom … … 443 430 426 429
Belgium … … … 76 72(e) 61 56(e)
Denmark … … … 15(2) … 21(2) …
France … … … 313 309(e) 330 333(e)
Germany (FR) … … 349 338(e) 361 357(e)
Irish Republic … … 18 19 19 20
Italy … … … 563(e) 547(e) 388(e) …
Luxembourg … … … …(3) … …(3) …
Netherlands … … … 39 … 33 …

Notes:

(1) Not including manufacture of man-made fibres

(2) 1977

(3) Figures not available for the two industries separately. In 1977 there were 800 employees in Luxembourg for the textile and clothing and footwear industries combined.

(e) Estimated

Sources:

Eurostat—" Employment and Unemployment 1972–78 "

—" Eurostatistics: Data for short term economic analysis "

central Statistics Office, Dublin