HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 cc77-8W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now take steps to reimburse trainees in the adult training programme all their travel-to-work expenses.

Mr. Nicholls

For participants in employment training, necessary travel costs over £5 per week will be met by the Training Commission, as was recommended by the commission in its report to the Government. This follows practice on other Training Commission programmes where training allowances are paid, and where trainees are expected to meet costs up to a certain amount. However, training managers and their sub-contractors in employment training will be able to meet the first £5 of trainees' costs without any effect on trainees' allowance, or tax and benefit position.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether all participants in the new adult training scheme will be regarded as employees for the purposes of health and safety regulations; if he will outline the responsibility of employers to employees for the provision of safety equipment and clothing whether designated as essential by the Health and Safety at Work etc, Act or necessary under the employers' own regulations for employment; if such safety equipment and clothing will be made available to trainees without cost to them; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State laid before Parliament on Friday 22 July regulations which give all participants on the new employment training scheme the same rights as employees for the purposes of health and safety legislation.

Protective clothing and equipment is specifically required to be provided for certain types of work, under health and safety regulations. Section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 prohibits employers from charging employees in these circumstances. Employers also have general duties under the Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees. These duties may include providing safety equipment and clothing to employees free of charge depending on the particular circumstances of the work.