§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will extend the health and safety checks offered as part of the Quality Mark scheme to other sectors of industry. [101350]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Health and Safety checks offered within the QM Scheme are not exclusive to the Scheme, but merely standards within industry, which we have adopted as appropriate standards the scheme.
The Quality Mark link with CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) is a commercial arrangement (a 20 per cent. discount is available on combined liability insurance premiums for firms with up to 20 manual employees).
To further reduce bureaucracy for both contractors and public sector clients, and to encourage improved health and safety standards, Constructionline and the CHAS are sharing data gathering, maintenance and display for mutually registered firms, and clients. This new arrangement means that contractors need to complete only one, standard application form. It also means Constructionline and CHAS clients can access both schemes from one location; thus saving time and money for all involved.