Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008

We on these Benches have nothing other than praise for the order, for the simple reason that it cuts red tape. Whenever this is accomplished, government should give itself a small pat on the back, to be perfectly honest. Surely turning two bodies into one is a step forward. As for the attack by the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, on the compensation culture, I agree, but with the caveat that everyone is always against excessive health and safety legislation until it is their child who is at risk. A new challenge for this body will be to try to get some reality about this. I have spoken before about reminding people that children heal when they fall over and cut knees and that this is quite normal and healthy, but that is rather different from allowing a climbing frame with a rusting and jagged piece on the edge of it to be in a playground. The concept of reasonableness is surely what stands behind all this, and a single body will surely have just a little more chance of ensuring that this measure gets through. I support the order.