§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the main conclusions that emerged from the campaign conducted by the Wages Inspectorate and the Health and Safety Executive's Factory Inspectorate concerning working conditions in small textile firms; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe object of the campaign was to check the extent to which small firms in the textile and clothing industries were complying with health and safety regulations and, where, appropriate, with the legal minimum wages council rates of pay and conditions. The 181W three areas selected by the Health and Safety Executive's Factory Inspectorate and the Wages Inspectorate for investigation were Leicester, the east end of London and the West Midlands. Reports on the outcome of their inquiries are published today and I have placed copies in the Library.
In general, the reports show that the majority of the small firms covered were complying with their legal obligations under the health and safety and wages council regulations. Although contraventions of the law were discovered, most were of a relatively minor nature and were often due to ignorance of the detailed requirements of the law. A major lesson of the campaign is that the relevant inspectorates should place a greater emphasis on their role in supporting small employers in the clothing and textile trades by helping them to realise the positive advantages of ensuring that their premises are safe and meet health standards and that they are properly registered with the appropriate authorities. This reinforces the Government's policy of helping small businesses prosper by providing them with good advice and the right information.