§ Lord McCarthyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action has been taken with regard to the ratification of International Labour Convention No. 161 and acceptance of International Labour Recommendation No. 171 concerning occupational health services, which were adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 1985.
§ The Secretary of State for Employment (Lord Young of Graffham)The texts of the convention and recommendation were included in a White Paper (Cmnd. No. 9727) presented to Parliament on 31st January. Before reaching decisions on the action to be taken on these instruments, the Government have sought the advice of the Health and Safety Commission and the commission issued a consultative document in February inviting the comments of all interested parties as a basis for considering its advice. The Government's decision on whether to ratify the convention and accept the recommendation will be taken when this advice has been received and an announcement will be made to Parliament in due course.