§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what new health and safety measures are planned for the construction industry, with particular regard to those businesses working within the land-based sector. [27883]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government have established the Strategic Forum for Construction to bring about industry consensus on future strategy and policy and has asked the chairman, Sir John Egan, to tackle the industry's health494W and safety performance as a key priority for action. The Health and Safety Commission has also initiated a Construction Priority Programme to focus its resources on the industry and the Health and Safety Executive is planning to publish a discussion document in the spring to ask the industry's views on a wide range of issues that affect health and safety.
The Constructors' Liaison Group, the umbrella body for the British Association of Landscape Industries, committed itself to adopting targets for certificated competence in health and safety of the work force, encouraging members to support the Construction Skills Certification Scheme and similar schemes.