asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects that regulations requiring employers to consult trades union representatives on health and safety matters will be brought into effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he proposes to introduce regulations providing for workers' safety representatives.

Regulations concerning safety representatives and safety committees will be introduced after consideration of the firm proposals on these matters from the Health and Safety Commission. The proposals are likely to be submitted as soon as possible after 13th March when comments on the Commission's consultative document are due. I cannot say at present how long the Commission will need to complete its consideration of the comments then received.