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Tractor Seats: EU Directive
Lord Willoughby de Broke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What success they have had in dealing with the issue of vibration and tractor seats, as set out in the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive.[HL705]
Lord Whitty: The EU Employment and Social Policy Council has agreed a common position on the proposed Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive. Among other provisions, this would set a mandatory limit for exposure to whole body vibration of 1.15 metres per second squared (a measure of acceleration) averaged over an eight-hour period. The proposed directive would not directly regulate tractor seats, but modifying seats will in some cases be a way
of reducing exposure to vibration. The overall impact of the measure will depend on a number of factors, including other aspects of tractor design and the terrain the tractor is being driven on. Under the transition arrangements proposed agriculture would not be required to comply with the whole body vibration limit until 2013.The directive has yet to be agreed and is currently before the European Parliament for its Second Reading.
Allied Health Professions: State Registration
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps the Shadow Health Professions Council has taken or will be taking to assert the primacy of the state registered members of the allied health professions; and[HL718]
What steps the Shadow Health Professions Council has taken to set minimum standards of competence; and[HL719]
What steps the Shadow Health Professions Council has taken to establish the duties and responsibilities attaching to its lay members.[HL720]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): We understand that these are among the matters that the shadow council is currently considering. It is for it to develop and consult on its policies.
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