§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has(a) to ensure the effective provision of work experience in schools and (b) to remove the obligation from schools to inspect work experience placements for health and safety reasons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment announced on 24 May at column 198 the Government are asking training and enterprise councils and their partners to ensure that all pupils in their last year of compulsory education can have at least one week's work experience and will make available an additional £23 million over three years to 1997–98 to support this. There is no statutory requirement on schools to inspect work experience placements. The Department for Education recommends that such visits should take place to enable LEAs and schools to meet their common law duty to look after the pupils in their care, and LEAs to meet their duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure that they do not expose pupils to risks to their health and safety.