HC Deb 24 January 1983 vol 35 cc332-3W
Mr. Woodall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list (a) the organisations prosecuted under the Asbestos Regulations 1969, (b) the section or sections of the regulations violated, (c) the result of the prosecution and (d) the penalties imposed for the years 1976 to 1982 inclusive.

Mr. Gummer

The table shows the number of relevant prosecutions completed by the Health and Safety Executive, together with results and penalties. Similar information for local authorities is not available. Detailed information about which of these regulations were violated is not readily available. However, the limited records that are held suggest regulations 6, 7, 8, 9 and 15 together account for about four fifths of the informations laid.

Information about organisations prosecuted and full details about specific regulations cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

Informations laid Convictions Withdrawn Dismissed Total penalties (£)
1976 35 23 12 1,575
1977 90 84 5 1 16,415
1978 40 37 3 3,490
1979 12 7 5 375
1980 18 16 2 3,900
1981 17 10 4 3 1,350
1982 (Jan-Sept)—provisional 6 6 1,950

Note: One case can involve several informations.

Mr. Woodall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list (a) the number of appeals under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, (b) the names of appellants and respondents who appealed against improvement or prohibition notices and (c) the results of each appeal for the years 1974 to 1982 inclusive.

Mr. Gummer

In the period 1976–80, for which information is currently available, the number of appeals against notices issued was 422, of which 300 were withdrawn, 94 dismissed (completely or with modifications) and 28 were upheld.

Of the 422 appeals, 232 were against notices issued by the Health and Safety Executive, of which eight were upheld, and 190 against local authority notices, of which 20 were upheld.

It is not possible to list details of each separate appeal without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Woodall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the names of appellants and respondents of applications to industrial tribunals under regulation 4(2) of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 for the years 1978 to 1982 inclusive.

Mr. Gummer

The information sought is not readily available and cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the changes in legislation recommended to him by the Health and Safety Commission.

Mr. Gummer

I shall reply to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.