Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 8 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 October 2008. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Explosives: Storage

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what occasions explosive site licences or applications for such licences have been revoked or refused on the grounds of the holder or applicant being deemed unfit to store explosives under the Manufacturing and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005.

Answer: The Health and Safety Executive has used the power contained in the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 to refuse applications for a licence on the grounds of the applicant is unfit to store explosives on two occasions.HSE has also notified the holders of two existing licences that it has decided to revoke their licences because they are not fit persons to store or manufacture explosives. HSE's decisions in relation to these revocations are currently subject to appeal under the provisions of section 44 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.Comparable information is not available for local authorities and the police, who are also licensing authorities under the 2005 regulations.

Secondary information