HC Deb 19 November 1992 vol 214 cc338-9W
Mr. Galbraith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action is to be taken against the pesticides contractor involved in case No. C132/91 investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Health and Safety Executive — HSE—considers that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the contractor involved in case number C.132/91 investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration—PCA—was in breach of any health and safety legislation. The PCA found that HSE had acted correctly in its assessment of the work of the contractor.

Mr. Galbraith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action she intends to take following the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration's second report 1992–93 in case No. C132/91 involving Mrs. Bettina Jonic Calder.

Mr. McLoughlin

Following the report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration into Mrs. Calder's complaint, the Health and Safety Executive has introduced procedural changes relating to its dealings with members of the public and to the way it handles complaints which are received. The HSE considers that no further action is required.

Mr. Galbraith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the case of Mrs. Bettina Jonic Calder, Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration reference No. C132/91, will be included in the annual record of pesticides incidents investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. McLoughlin

The pesticide incident involving Mrs. Bettina Jonic Calder was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive in 1989 and details were recorded in the HSE's report "Pesticides Incidents Investigated in 1989/90" published in July 1990.

Mr. Galbraith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will review the role and operations of the pesticide incidents appraisal panel of the Health and Safety Executive following the finding in case No. C132/91 by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

Mr. McLoughlin

The role and operation of the pesticides incidents appraisal panel were not investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and his report made no call for their review. However, certain aspects of the work of the panel are currently under review, both in response to concern subsequently raised by the complainant and independently of her case.