HC Deb 21 October 1993 vol 230 c300W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish dates of all meetings with outside persons or bodies and titles of all non-departmental briefing papers or any associated material concerning the possible amendment of sections 1(1), 1(2) or 15(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974; what plans he has to amend sections 1(1), 1(2) or 15(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 in respect of matters relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The seven deregulation task forces, established earlier this year by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, have all considered health and safety matters to varying degrees in sector specific or cross sectoral ways. Details of all task force meetings, consultations or papers could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table listing(a) all regulations suggested by his Department to the Health and Safety Commission or by the Health and Safety Commission to his Department as candidates for revocation as part of the deregulation initiative, (b) the purpose and function of each of these regulations, (c) whether it is suggested that the regulations be (i) amended, (ii) abolished, (iii) replaced with self-regulation or (iv) replaced with other regulation; whether, for each regulation, revocation without replacement or with self-regulation would require amendment of section 1(1), 1(2) or 15(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

Possible sector-specific and cross-sectoral candidates for administrative simplification and reform by the Health and Safety Commission are currently being considered by the seven deregulation task forces, established earlier this year by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The task forces have not yet completed their work, but their proposals will be submitted to the Government in due course for consideration.

Further possible proposals for reform by the HSC may be identified by the HSC's own task groups which have been asked to complete their work by April next year.