§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of statutory instruments currently applying to health and safety at work; what consolidation is being undertaken; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThere are currently 399 statutory instruments which apply to health and safety at work.
The Health and Safety Commission has a remit under section 1(2) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to seek to reform health and safety legislation, by means including consolidation, into a coherent system of regulations and approved codes of practice, and has made substantial progress. In the context of the Government's de-regulation initiative, the Commission is now undertaking a fresh review of the remaining health and safety legislation. The review will consider whether further repeals or simplification are possible without endangering acceptable health and safety standards.