HC Deb 04 November 1992 vol 213 cc297-8W
Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether trainees on European social fund training courses are treated as employees for the purposes of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; what statutory health and safety obligations ESF providers have with respect to their trainees; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. McLoughlin

For the purposes of health and safety legislation, trainees—including those on courses funded by the European social fund—are treated as employees if they engage in relevant training, as defined by the Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1990. Relevant training is defined as work experience provided as part of a training course or programme, or training for employment, or both.

Where instruction is provided to trainees in an educational establishment or technical institute, employers have responsibilities towards this group as laid down under sections 3 and 4 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc, Act 1974.

These arrangements apply irrespective of whether the course in question is in receipt of support from the European social fund.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether trainees on European social fund training courses are covered by her Department's analogous industrial injuries compensation scheme; what statutory benefits a trainee who suffered an industrial injury whilst participating in an ESF course may claim; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. McLoughlin

Unemployed people on Government-sponsored training courses such as youth training and employment training are covered by the analogous industrial injuries scheme.

Trainees on other courses are covered by statutory arrangements. Their entitlement to statutory industrial injury benefit depends upon their status and in particular on whether the trainees are classed as "employed earners".

These arrangements apply irrespective of whether the course in question is in receipt of support from the European social fund.

Mr. Austin-Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate she has made of the likely increased demand for training programmes over the next six months; and if she will make a statement on the proposals for meeting this demand.

Mr. McLoughlin

The provision of training programmes and demand for them are kept under constant review. Potential colliery closures may lead to increased demand. Up to £75 million will be made available to the areas affected. The training and enterprise councils concerned have been asked to co-ordinate action plans for new measures to alleviate the effects of the closures.

A statement about overall resources for training from April 1993 will be made when my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announces this year's public expenditure settlement.

Mr. Booth

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has to extend the use of training credits.

Mr. McLoughlin

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on the Floor of the House on 3 November 1992,Official Report, columns 130–31.