asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department has taken in Brussels to harmonise the laws relating to the fencing and guarding of machinery within the EEC.

My Department and the Health and Safety Executive participate fully in EEC discussion of occupational health and safety matters. They are naturally concerned to maintain the high standards of occupational safety achieved in this country. They represent the United Kingdom Government on the EEC tripartite Advisory Committee for Safety Hygiene and Health protection at work, which has advised on an action programme now before the Council of Ministers. One of the objectives of this programme is the harmonisation of laws relating to the design and safe use of plant, and when it is accepted it will provide a framework for harmonisation where particular needs are identified. A copy will be deposited in Parliament.Officials have also discussed proposals for EEC directives intended to remove barriers to trade created by differing safety requirements, some of which concern guarding of machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware that certain fencing and guarding requirements for machine tools are substantially less in other EEC countries than in the United Kingdom; and what effect this might have in creating unfair competition for British manufacturers.

I am aware that requirements for the guarding of machinery vary considerably between EEC countries. Since our entry into the EEC there has been no material change in United Kingdom requirements relating to machine tools. I am satisfied that these requirements are important in controlling the number of accidents, but if the hon. Member has evidence in respect of any particular class of machinery to show that safety requirements in the United Kingdom are unnecessarily high I shall be glad to look into it.