Agencies (Hansard, 19 November 1992)

§ Mr. Gummer

Responsibility for health and safety is delegated to the chief executives of Agricultural Development Advisory Service, the Central Science Laboratory, the Central Veterinary Laboratory, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Intervention Board executive agency, which is a separate Government Department responsible to the four United Kingdom Agriculture Departments. I have asked each chief executive to write to the hon. Member to ouline their policy and have also asked them to place any relevant documents in the Libraries of both Houses.

Letter from Dr. J. M. Walsh to Mr. John McAllion, dated 19 November 1992:

ADAS is in the process of developing its own Health and Safety policy, which will be placed in the Library of the House when it is available.

The current situation is covered by the reply given to Dr. David Clark MP (South Shields) on 8 July 1992, Official Report, column 234.

Letter from Dr. P. I. Stanley to Mr. John McAllion, dated November 1992:

In its Annual Business Plan 1992–93, The Central Science Laboratory gave a commitment to issue its revised health and safety policy statement by the end of December 1992. The 372W statement, which represents a major revision of the previous document in force prior to agency status, is in its final stages of preparation and on target for completion by the end of the year. When the policy statement has been agreed, it will be placed in the Library of the House.

Letter from Dr. T. W. A. Little to Mr. John McAllion, dated 19 November 1992:

As you know the Minister has asked that Chief Executives of executive agencies for which he is responsible write to you direct with their answer to your question.

I am arranging with the Ministry's Parliamentary Clerk for a copy of the Central Veterinary Laboratory's Health and Safety Policy Statement to be placed in the Library of the House of Commons forthwith.

In his reply to your question about executive Agencies in MAFF, the Minister said that as health and safety was a matter delegated to Chief Executives, he would ask them to write to you and to arrange for a copy of their policy to be placed in the Library of the House. I am doing so as Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).

The VMD health and safety statement is set out in Section 4 of the VMD Personnel Charter, a copy of which is provided to every member of staff. One has now been placed in the Library of the House. As part of a review of the Personal Charter which is currently under way, the health and safety statement is being updated. I will arrange for a copy of the revised statement and Charter to be placed in the Library of the House once this has been completed.

Letter from Guy Stapleton to Mr. John McAllion. dated 19 November 1992:

I am responding to your Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about the health and safety policy of executive agencies. Although the Intervention Board is a separate Government Department, I am responsible to the four Agriculture Ministers and as the subject of your question is a matter within my operational responsibility, the Minister has asked me to reply.

I attach a copy of the health and safety policy statement for the Intervention Board as it appears in the Agency's staff manual to which all staff have access.

Together with our Trade Union Side (TUS) we are currently reviewing this policy statement in the light of recent and forthcoming legislation, and guidance from the Civil Service Occupational Health Service (CSOHS) about the development of health and safety policies. Our intention is not only to update the policy statement, but also to issue a health and safety booklet to all staff which will bring together in a convenient format all necessary guidance on health and safety matters.

We implement our health and safety policy through a joint committee with the TUS which normally meets twice a year. In addition we:

(a) Carry out regular joint workplace inspections and organise training through the CSOHS;
(b) Issue guidance to staff on the control of hazardous substances which are covered by the inspections at (a) above;
(c) Carry out checks on all electrical equipment to ensure that it complies with statutory requirements;
(d) Have introduced a no smoking policy in work areas earlier this year;
(e) Have offered voluntary health screening in 1991 and over 700 staff participated. As part of this year's programme advice seminars on stress, smoking, alcohol, healthy eating and heart care will be provided.

Preparations are well in hand to meet the obligations of the VDU Directive which comes into operation on 1 January 1993. Further EC Directive on health and safety issues are expected in the near future and the Agency's objective will be to embrace those changes within its policy and procedures.

I am sending a copy of this letter and enclosure to the Library of the House.