§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the composition and accountability of the members of the Health and Safety Commission.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Health and Safety Commission is currently composed of a chairman and nine members. The members are appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in accordance with section 10(2) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974.
The accountability of the commission to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and via him to Parliament, laid out in paragraphs 14 and 15 of schedule 2 to the HSWA.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the future role of the Health and Safety Commission in the introduction of, and repeal of, health and safety legislation.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythUnder the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, Ministers have the power to make health and safety regulations for the general purposes of the Act. These are, in essence, to secure the health, safety and welfare of people at work and of others affected by work activities. Such regulations must be made either on the basis of proposals submitted by the Health and Safety Commission, or after consultation with the commission.
This procedure applies both to the introduction of new health and safety legislation and to regulations which repeal or modify existing legislation.