§ Baroness Hoggasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their plans for the forthcoming finance, management and policy review of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive.
Earl FerrersAs 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 Health and Safety Commission and Executive'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 the commission and executive 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 the policy and financial management systems of the commission and executive. 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 the work of the commission and executive.