§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to ensure that adequate safety standards are maintained in any changes in management in sports and leisure centres, arising from the recent statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanUnder the Government's proposals to bring compulsory competitive tendering to the management of local authority sport and leisure facilities, local authorities would be responsible for drawing up the tender specifications setting out, amongst other things, what safety requirements must be met. Moreover, the Health and Safety at Work etc., Act 1974 already imposes a general duty to take reasonable measures with respect to health and safety on those who are, to any extent, in control of non-domestic premises, which include public sports and leisure facilities. This general duty is enforceable by the Health and Safety Executive and would continue to apply regardless of whether a facility was managed by a local authority's own employees or by a contractor. With regard to the safety of spectators at sports facilities, the requirement of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Safety at Places of Sport Act 1987 would not be affected by the competitive tendering proposals.