§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment by whom he proposes those taking part in work experience schemes on industrial sites or premises should be insured, in the light of the fact that insurance companies appear reluctant to provide insurance cover in respect of industrial workers working in a voluntary capacity.
314W
§ Mr. GoldingThe numbers of men and women in employment whose applications for job release have been approved between 3rd January 1977 and 11th April 1978 are 13,669, consisting of 8,904 men and 4,765 women. In addition, before the scheme was limited to those in employment on 1st July 1977, some 11,053 unemployed people—9,732 men and 1,321 women—also joined the scheme. Detailed analyses by marital status and industry are not collected but a sample survey comprising the first 3,000 applicants has shown that 75 per cent. are married. The table below shows the break-down by the industries from which the employed applicants in the sample come.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that young people participating in work experience schemes have the status of trainees and are not the employees of the sponsor. If a young person participating in a work experience scheme suffers personal injury as a result of taking part in the scheme, the commission will make payments to that trainee equivalent to the 315W sums the trainee would be entitled to under the industrial injury scheme of the social security Acts 1975. Thus, although young people are not in insured employment, the MSC guarantees that they will not suffer as a result of this.