§ 64. Sir Hector Monroasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any plans to introduce legislation to require all industrial concerns to prepare effective emergency plans.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places duties on employers to ensure that their operations are safe and without risk to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. The duty to provide a safe system of work requires many manufacturers to prepare emergency arrangements. In addition, the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations, which my right hon. Friend laid before Parliament on 18 December, contain a specific requirement for the operators of the larger and more hazardous installations to prepare formal on-site emergency plans; there is also a requirement on local authorities, at county level, to draw up off-site emergency plans for those sites within their boundaries.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons violating the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 have been sent to prison during the 10 years that the Act has been in operation.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAs yet no sentences of imprisonment have been recorded.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now introduce legislation to amend the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 whereby any case involving a death or serious injury is taken to Crown court; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMost offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 can be tried either summarily or, if the defendant requests or the magistrates so decide, on indictment. There are no plans to amend the provisions of the Act relating to offences: however, the maximum fines available on summary conviction have recently been doubled.