§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-on-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission what steps have been taken to implement new health and safety measures in the Palace of Westminster in respect of the provision of suitable office furniture, lighting and ventilation as well as eye tests in respect of VDU users for(a) staff employed by the Commission and (b) staff employed by hon. Members.
§ Mr. BeithAll possible steps are being taken to ensure that the House complies with the new health and safety measures in respect of the provision of suitable office furniture, light and ventilation in the Palace of Westminster and the parliamentary outbuildings. All office furniture being purchased for use in conjunction with VDUs in the Palace of Westminster complies with the minimum requirements set out in European Community Council directive 9/270/EEC.
An expanded occupational health service has been in place in the Palace of Westminster since September 1991, to deal with health and safety issues with particular emphasis on pending legislation including the EC directive on VDU users. The occupational health adviser is available to all staff employed by the House of Commons Commission and staff employed by right hon. and hon. Members to assess and advise on working environments, 201W light and ventilation, the ergonomics of individual work stations and work patterns, with a view to making recommendations as appropriate. In addition, VDU eye tests are freely available to all the above staff; appointments for these should be made direct with the occupational health adviser.