§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of the proposed draft regulations or code of practice on lifting of heavy weights submitted by the Health and Safety Executive to the Commission; what is the composition of the proposed working party to examine the lifting of heavy weights; what are the qualifications of each member; when the first meeting took place; what is the frequency of future meetings and when they expect to complete their work.
§ Mr. Mayhew[pursuant to his reply, 21 May 1980, c 201]: The Health and Safety Commission reconsidered, at my request, the draft proposals for regulations and guidance prepared by the Health and Safety Executive. It has decided that the draft guidance needs re-examination by a working party from industry. It therefore wishes it to be clear that the draft document is one on which it has strong reservations. When the working party has completed its work the HSC would then expect to consult on the guidance which the working party had prepared, and on proposals for regulations which will be considered in the light of the guidance. My right hon. Friend will not, therefore, place a copy of the draft proposals in the Library of the House.
The working party, for which a June meeting is being sought, consists of persons who have been nominated by the CBI and TUC with full regard to their experience and competence for the task. Those nominated are:
by CBI— J F Petrie— Unilever Ltd. P J Arscott— Engineering Employers Federation. D Friggens— Wates Ltd. by TUC— D Sanderson— Union of Construction Allied Trades & Technicians. Mrs R Blackburn— Amalgamated Textile Workers Union. R E Bibbings—TUC. At this stage the Health and Safety Commission is unable to say when the working party expects to complete its work.