Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con): Can the Leader of the House arrange for a debate in Government time on the role of the Health and Safety Executive? It is responsible for the safety of industrial work in this country as well as for investigating disasters such as the one that took place at Buncefield. However, it could end up prosecuting itself, because it is the prosecuting authority as well. Its inquiries are carried out behind closed doors, so could we have a debate on the Floor of the House into its future role in dealing with disasters such as that at Buncefield? Mr. Hoon: I believe that health and safety standards in this country are among the very highest in the world and that that in no small part is the result of the work of the Health and Safety Executive. If the hon. Gentleman has specific concerns about the way in which it operates, I will have them investigated if he lets me have them. | 
