§ Mr. GryllsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the organisations he consulted on the effect on small and medium sized firms of the new proposals on the reimbursement of statutory sick pay.
§ Mr. ForthConsultation on the Statutory Sick Pay Bill is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. However, I have welcomed the opportunity to discuss this issue with small firms representative organisations and I have received a number of representations from them on the proposals. I have conveyed their views to the Secretary of State for Social Security and will continue to keep in touch with him on this important issue.