§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has to introduce new agricultural safety measures; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinAt present we have no plans to introduce new agricultural safety regulations.
Agriculture is subject to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and regulations made under it, the most recent of which are the six sets of health and safety regulations which came into force, in order to implement EC directives, at the beginning of January this year. These latest regulations cover a wide range of safety issues from the condition of the work place to the use of machinery and employers and others need time to assimilate and act on them.