§ Sir Peter LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the forthcoming finance, management and policy review of the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive. [36367]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAs part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly finance, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies, my Department will conduct a thorough review of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, which will begin today. As with all prior options studies, this will assess the extent to which the HSC/E's functions are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there is scope for privatising, contracting out or transferring all or part of its functions to another body. It will draw on work which has already been done in this area.
The progress made by HSC/E since the previous review in 1991–92 will be examined and the results of that examination and of the prior options study will inform a review of HSC/E's policy and financial management systems. An essential component of Government policy is to maintain high standards of health and safety and the review will reflect this.
In carrying out the study, my Department will consult widely with relevant organisations with an interest in HSC/E's work.