§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on proposed changes to British standards and European Community regulations governing welding and fabrication work.
§ Mr. NichollsDiscussions are now well advanced within the European Standards Organisation (CEN) in connection with the production of up-to-date standards for502W welder approval and weld procedure approval. These draft standards, now out for public comment, will be based on United Kingdom standards, as modified to take account of the views of other countries. Although such standards are unlikely to be the subject of a specific EC directive on welding, they may be called up in support of directives where weld quality is important in ensuring the integrity of fabricated components.
§ Mr. PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the supply of British qualified trainers in welding and fabrication after 1992.
§ Mr. NichollsThe supply of British qualified trainers in welding and fabrication after 1992 is primarily for industry and training providers to determine.
The Government are helping to improve the quality of trainers generally by establishing an industry-led group to define the standards of competence required by qualified trainers and by initiatives to improve the quality and development of trainers.