§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what considerations she is taking into account in his review of statutory instruments on health and safety at work; if she will consolidate them into a smaller number of comprehensive documents, each covering a range of activities; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Health and Safety Commission has been invited to conduct a review of all existing health and safety legislation in order to: assess whether the law is still relevant and needed; assess the compliance and enforcement burdens on business of legislation which is still relevant and needed; to determine whether the potential benefits still justify these burdens; and whether repeal or simplification is possible without endangering acceptable health and safety standards. The Commission has been asked to take particular account of the needs of small firms.
The review is being taken forward in consultation with interested parties.
The Commission is aiming to substantially complete the review by April 1994, at which time my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, will receive a report on their findings and recommendations for the further rationalisation and modernisation of health and safety legislation.