To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to improve health protection and safety conditions in the workplace.

Responsibility for ensuring satisfactory health and safety standards rests with employers and others concerned at the workplace. The Government have increased financial provision for the Health and Safety Commission and Executive over previously agreed levels again in 1990–91.The commission's priorities for improving health and safety at work will be set out in its plan of work for 1990–91 and beyond, to be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to extend health and safety protection in the workplace.

The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for bringing forward proposals for the reform and extension as necessary of health and safety legislation. Details of the Commission's future legislative programme will be contained in its plan of work for 1990–91 and beyond, which it hopes to publish shortly.