HC Deb 03 March 1988 vol 128 cc703-4W
Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the members of the Health and Safety Commission sub-committee on major hazards; and if he has set a timetable for its work.

Mr. Nicholls

The Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on major hazards completed its work in 1984. The commission's standing advisory committee on dangerous substances subsequently set up a sub-committee on the major hazard aspects of the transport of dangerous substances. The current members of the sub-committee are: Mr. A. J. Williams, Health and Safety Executive (Chairman); Dr. D. Plester, Dr. I. Canadine, Mr. S. Hope and Mr. J. Middlemas (appointed after consultation with the Confederation of British Industry); Mr. R. Coyle and Mr. D. Matthews (appointed after consultation with the Trades Union Congress); Mr. W. Cooney and Mr. E. Johnson (appointed after consultation with local authority associations), Mr. P. Abbott, British Rail; Dr. V. Marshall, an independent expert.

There is no set timetable for the work of the sub-committee. It will report as soon as possible, but the timing of final conclusions will depend upon the complexity of the problems revealed.