§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the details of the methodology for transforming the Occupational Health Service into Trident Medical Services. [18915]
§ Mr. HoramI have been asked to reply.
The Occupational Health and Safety Agency has not been transformed into Trident Medical Services. Previously the Occupational Health Service, it remains an executive agency of the Cabinet Office following a prior options review in 1994.
Trident Medical Services is a private sector provider of medical treatment.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the suspension and subsequent resignation of the director of the civil service occupational health scheme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment; and if he will make a statement on the impact this has had on the formation of a successor company and the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 to those employed by the scheme within the AWE as at 31 March.
§ Mr. HoramI have been asked to reply.
The senior medical officer employed by the Occupational Health and Safety Agency was suspended from duty on 20 March pending investigation of matters' which had that day come to light regarding the tendering process for the contract to provide occupational health services to Hunting-BRAE, trading as AWE plc. It appeared that he had become a director of the company awarded the contract. He resigned voluntarily and with immediate effect on 23 March before any formal investigations had taken place.
His resignation has no effect on the future of the OHSA. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply to the transfer of relevant employees from OHSA to Trident Medical Services Ltd. This follows from AWE's decision to award the contract for provision of occupational health services to Trident.