§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to the answer of 19 July, whether he requires the Manpower Services Commission to inquire of each sponsoring employer under the youth opportunities programme and youth training scheme whether they meet the requirements of the health and safety legislation; and whether there are any placements under those cases where no answer or an unsatisfactory answer is given.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonManpower Services Commission officials do not ask individual sponsors under the youth opportunities programme or youth training scheme whether they meet the requirements of health and safety legislation. The commission does, however, remind all employers providing places under these schemes about their responsibilities under health and safety legislation, including the requirement to register premises.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Employment in how many of the (a) fatal accidents (b) 265W major accidents and (c) minor accidents befalling trainees on the youth opportunities programme between 1 April 1981 and 31 March 1982 and of the accidents which have occurred since that date (i) the employer was prosecuted under the health and safety legislation (ii) the employer pleaded guilty (iii) a conviction was obtained (iv) information had been obtained prior to the accident about the employer's compliance with the health and safety legislation and (v) the employer had been inspected by the Factories Inspectorate.
§ Mr. GummerI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.