§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will require statutory bodies that place orders with the construction industry for the improvement of public services to be required to ensure through main contractors that all sub- and specialist-contractors hold employers' liability compulsory insurance. [104851]
369W
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe Department for Work and Pensions maintains standard clauses in contracts with its direct contractors to ensure that required insurance policies, including employers' liability compulsory insurance, are taken out and maintained.
The Department does not have any specific procedures to ensure that main contractors in the construction industry working for statutory bodies also ensure that all their specialist and sub-contractors have the required insurance policies in place. However there is a general requirement on all suppliers specified within the contracting arrangements to ensure that they meet all their legal obligations in this area.
Department of Social Security Employment Service Department for Work and Pensions Date Male Female Male Female Male Female 31 December 1997 0 746 0 62 — — 31 December 1998 0 654 1 81 — — 31 December 1999 1 431 0 84 — — 31 December 2000 1 426 0 121 — — 31 December 2001 — — — — 3 700 31 December 2002 — — — — 0 1,214 20 March 2003 — — — — 0 1,132 Notes:
1. Figures reflect the numbers of staff in post at the specified dates and include staff who have been over state pension age during the year.
2. Figures from 31 December 2001 reflect the position in the Department for Work and Pensions following the Machinery of Government changes effective from June 2001.