I have prepared a draft new section which I think meets the views of the Committee as expressed at the last meeting. The draft is as follows :—
(Part V.) SECTION 72 (1)—
" Where the persons employed in a factory have selected from among themselves a committee (in this section referred to as the safety committee) for the purpose of promoting the better safety, health and welfare of the persons employed, the following provisions shall have effect :—
(a) It shall be a function of the safety committee to assist in securing compliance by the occupier of the factory and by the persons employed therein with the provisions of this Act.
(b) Upon the request of the safety committee, the occupier of the factory shall make an entry in the general register noting—
(i) the establishment of the safety committee, and
(ii) if the safety committee has nominated one of its members to be the safety delegate for the purposes of this section the name of the safety delegate.
(c) The occupier shall be entitled to be represented by at least one person nominated by him at each meeting of the committee.
(d) The occupier shall consider any representations made to him by the safety committee on matters affecting the safety and health of the persons employed.
(e) The safety committee shall consider any representations made to it by the occupier on matters affecting the safety and health of the persons employed.
(f) An inspector shall consider any representations made to him by the safety delegate and, for this purpose, may inspect any records of the proceedings of the safety committee.
(g) An inspector shall be entitled, should he so wish, to have the safety delegate accompany him on his tour of inspection of the factory or any part of such tour.
(2) If the Minister is satisfied that there exists in a factory a committee which is so constituted as to be capable of discharging the functions of a safety committee he may, on application being made by the committee and with the consent of the occupier of the factory, issue a certificate recognising such committee as a safety committee for the purposes of this section and while such certificate is in force the provision of sub-section (1) of the section shall apply to such committee."