§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many of his Department's or Manpower Services Commission's inquiries have been held into (a) fatal and (b) serious accidents on the youth opportunities programme; when and to whom they reported; what lessons were learnt; and if he will lodge the reports in the Library.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAny accident at work causing death or major injuries is reportable to the local office of the enforcing authority under the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 1980. The Manpower Services Commission collects information on accidents to enable them to pay benefits under section 11 of the Employment and Training Act 1973. Copies of reports contain information of a personal nature and cannot therefore be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ensure that inquiries are held into every accident to a youth training scheme trainee that results in death or major injury.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAccidents at work which result in death or major injuries are reported under the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurences Regulations 1980 to the relevant enforcing authority who have statutory power to carry out investigations. Decisions on investigations are a matter for enforcing authorities but it is normal practice for all deaths and major injuries to be investigated.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment what factors were taken into account when the original level of allowance for young people on the youth opportunities programme was determined; and what factors influenced his Department's decision to raise it to £25.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe original level of allowance for young people on the youth opportunities programme was determined by a previous administration. In June 1982, the Government accepted the Manpower Services Commission proposal that a training allowance of £1,300 a year would be appropriate for the launch of the scheme in 1983.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East on 14 November, Official Report, c. 319–320, what were the natures of the injuries sustained by young people on the youth opportunities programme in each year.
§ Mr. GummerI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.