§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the purpose of the recent meeting between the Director-General of the Health and Safety Executive and the Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries; if the chief inspector was invited to make increased use of powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act; whether any action is to be taken against the chief inspector in the light of the prosecution record of the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe purpose of the meeting between the Health and Safety Executive and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries was to discuss the accident record in recent years in quarries and the means to its improvement. As part of this wide-ranging discussion Her Majesty's chief inspector was invited to make the fullest use of his powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition, the means by which co-operation by all parts of the industry to reduce the accident levels were explored, including the encouragement of greater efforts through communication, guidance and training. The executive indicated its intention to meet at regular intervals over the next two years to review progress.