§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage the German Government to ensure that construction sites employing British labourers conform to the necessary safety standards. [9781]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonBuilding sites in Germany are covered by the requirements of EU health and safety directives. Detailed arrangements for enforcement of the directives are a matter for member states themselves. But both the UK and the Commission try to promote effective enforcement. In 1995, the Commission formalised a senior labour inspectors committee to look at these issues, and the UK has had some success in using this committee to promote the development of common principles of inspection.