asked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Keighley of 15 December regarding manual lifting, if he will make a statement explaining the delay in producing a code of practice for the lifting of weights.

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the preparation of guidance on manual lifting has taken longer than anticipated because of the complexity of the subject involving many disciplines. It was also thought desirable that the guidance should cover wider aspects of manual handling than originally intended. The Commission will be considering the outcome of this work in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to repeal the Agriculture (Lifting of Heavy Weights) Regulations.

I understand from the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Commission has asked the Health and Safety Executive to submit proposals for the Commission's consideration concerning the lifting of weights. The Commission expects to have these proposals in the near future and will consider them in conjunction with the provisions of the Agriculture (Lifting of Heavy Weights) Regulations.