§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people suffered accidents resulting in amputations or in death while working on the youth opportunities programme since June 1981.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonBetween 1 July 1981 and 31 December 1981, there were 21 accidents which involved loss or part loss of hand or foot. In the same period there were four deaths. Details for this year are not yet available, but the death of one trainee has occurred.
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the type of accidents sustained by young people working on the youth opportunities programme since June 1981.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonInformation about the major types of accidents is available only for the period 1 July 1981 to 31 December 1981, and is as follows: falls 19 per cent.; entrapment 17 per cent.; impact (excluding falls) 14 per cent.; contact with blade 10 per cent.; abrasions 8 per cent.; falling object 10 per cent. The remaining categories of accidents included injuries from heat, lifting and electricity.
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider extending the statutory cover of industrial injuries benefit to trainees on the youth opportunities programme.
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§ Mr. Peter MorrisonNo. Young people participating in the programme are not eligible to claim industrial injury benefits from the Department of Health and Social Security, but they are covered by analagous benefit payment from the Manpower Services Commission.
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made with the discussions with the Manpower Services Commission over the health and safety of trainees on the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission have held discussions with representatives of the CBI, TUC and Health and Safety Executive on health and safety provision for trainees on the youth opportunities programme. A report was prepared for the commission's special programmes board which was unanimously accepted at its meeting in March 1982. The report will he published shortly. Action on the report's recommendations is already being taken.