§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria his Department uses in deciding which firms to visit to inquire about policies on sick pay benefits.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department does not visit employers to inquire about policies on sick pay benefits. If, however, my hon. Friend is referring to the visits made to employers concerning the administration of statutory sick pay, the answer is that during the first 16 months, following its introduction in April 1983, it has been the aim to visit employers to see that the new scheme is being properly dealt with, to answer questions and to advise employers on action to be taken to correct mistakes. In future, the aim will be to concentrate visits on those employers who have made, or in the Department's experience are likely to make, mistakes in operating statutory sick pay.