§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will introduce legislation to extend the health and safety legislation requiring drinking water and running water for washing to be provided at conveniently accessible places, to apply to all working locations, including domestic houses and flats.
§ Mr. McLoughlinWe are currently considering the Health and Safety Commission proposals for regulations which implement European Community directive No. 89/654/EEC (the workplace directive). The proposed regulations would extend the current requirements in health and safety legislation on drinking water and running water for washing to all workplaces. However, they apply only to
any premises or part of premises which are not domestic premises and are made available to any person as a place of work".Domestic houses and flats are therefore outside the scope of the proposed regulations. They are, however, required to have such facilities under the Building Regulations (England and Wales) which are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment.