§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure that the 1993 legislation on health and safety in the workplace has been implemented in the national health service and social services departments.
§ Mr. MaloneThe implementation of health and safety legislation is entirely the responsibility of national health service employers. The NHS executive guidance, "Health and Safety at Work—(EL(93)66)", issued on 29 July 1993, drew the attention of NHS employers specifically to the health and safety regulations introduced in 1993. In addition, the NHS executive's guidance on "Occupational Health Services for NHS Staff (HSG(94)51)", issued to NHS employers on 6 December 1994, underlined the statutory responsibility of NHS employers including that under the 1993 health and safety legislation. Copies of these documents are available in the Library.
Social services departments are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, who is responsible for matters relating to local government.