HC Deb 19 April 1994 vol 241 cc490-1W
15. Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action he is taking to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries at work.

Mr. David Hunt

Responsibility for ensuring work-place health and safety rests with employers and others most directly involved. The Health and Safety Commission's priorities for promoting improvements in health and safety at work will be set out in its plan of work for 1994–95.

23. Mr. Berry

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how often, on average, a workplace can expect to be visited by officials inspecting health and safety standards.

Miss Widdecombe

There is no fixed period between inspections of workplaces. When planning visits, health and safety inspectors give priority to premises that are known to pose a higher risk to employees and the public. The highest-risk sites are inspected once a year. In addition to planned inspection, visits to workplaces are made for a variety of other purposes, for example to give advice and guidance and to investigate accidents, incidents or complaints.

28. Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement regarding the outcome of recent meetings he has held regarding health and safety issues.

Miss Widdecombe

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's most recent meeting specifically to discuss issues of health and safety was with the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) to discuss the Health and Safety Executive's investigation of an incident in his constituency. My hon. Friend the Minister of State has particular responsibility for health and safety, and conducts the majority of meetings on that topic.