§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given to the publication of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants entitled "What Price Health and Safety?", a copy of which has been sent to him; what assessment he has made in the light of this document of the work of the Health and Safety Executive in maintaining and improving standards of health and safety at work; if there is any action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement on the publication.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI have seen the leaflet. Among matters which it does not mention are the facts that the number of fatal and less serious accidents at work continues to fall and that expenditure on the health and safety at work programme under this Government has been higher each year than it was in 1978–79, even when account is taken of inflation. The Health and Safety Executive plays an important role but the primary responsibility for maintaining health and safety at work lies firmly where it was placed by the Robens report and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, with employers.