asked the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria he uses, following disasters such as the Flix-borough explosion, in deciding whether to hold the inquiry under the Factories Act or the Boiler Explosions Act.

I know of no public inquiry under the Factories Act into a disaster which has involved a steam boiler within the meaning of the Boiler Explosions Act up to 1st January 1975. Since that date, the sections of both Acts providing for a public inquiry to be held have been replaced by Section 14 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, by which the Health and Safety Commission, with my right hon. Friend's consent. may direct that an inquiry be held into any accident or occurrence. It is therefore no longer necessary to decide between the two Acts.