§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what responsibility his Department has for workplace-related health and safety legislation; [65490]
(2) what responsibility his Department has for workplace-related health and safety legislation. [65489]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Secretary of State for Transport currently answers to Parliament on all activities of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, except when these come within the specific area of responsibility of another Secretary of State. Under section 11 (2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Secretary of State may approve proposals from the Commission for regulations, and under section 15 (1) of the Act may also introduce health and safety legislation, provided the Commission is consulted.
In tandem with the recent machinery of government changes, it was announced on 29 May that there will be a review of departmental responsibilities for health and safety issues. An announcement on this will be made in due course.