asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consider making the use of the Hazchem code mandatory for all vehicles carrying dangerous chemicals by road.

The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the commission intends to commence consultations shortly on legislative proposals which will require the labelling of road tankers carrying dangerous goods and that, subject to the practical experience gained from the operation of the present voluntary scheme, it is expected that these proposals will make mandatory the requirements of the present scheme.