§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton (Mr. Duncan) of 20 November,Official Report, column 396, for what reasons she will not include special provision for turban-wearing followers of the Sikh religion in the proposed regulations to implement the European directive on the use of personal protective equipment at work.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe regulations in question have been made under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Exemptions cannot be granted other than on grounds of health and safety. It was not therefore possible to include any exemption or special provision in the regulations to implement the use of personal protective equipment directive. Exemptions can only be secured by primary legislation, as in the case of the current exemption from the requirement to wear head protection on construction sites which was secured by the Employment Act 1989.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has to extend the existing exemptions under the Employment Act 1989 concerning Sikhs, to non-construction sites; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to extend the existing exemptions under the Employment Act 1989 for turban-wearing followers of the Sikh religion.