§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what monitoring role his Department plays in ensuring that the reports of the Health and Safety Executive are implemented in relation to buildings for which he has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieSince the National Health Service is no longer a Crown body for the purposes of health and safety legislation, the Health and Safety Executive has the same legal powers to enforce health authorities to comply with its statutory notices as apply to employers generally. The Department is informed of all improvement and prohibition notices issued to health authorities in order that any new problem areas are incorporated into central guidance, and, where appropriate, covered in training. As part of the annual review process, regional health authorities are to be held to account for their monitoring of district health authorities' observance of statutory requirements for the health and safety of their staff and patients.