CLOSURE OF LONDON HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE OFFICE

That this House expresses its concern at the decision of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to close the London office; notes that London has the highest number of construction sites and that deaths in the construction industry have risen by 14 per cent. in the past year; believes that now is not the time to reduce the number of staff available to help regulate this high risk industry in London, especially with the construction required for the Olympics; is further concerned that the HSE accepts that up to 80 per cent. of its staff will not be prepared to relocate to Bootle, which will result in a massive loss of expertise in occupational health and safety which would have a negative impact on the service it provides; and therefore calls on the HSE to reconsider its decision.