§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to(a) monitor and (b) improve working conditions and health and safety standards for call centre industry employees. [130200]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply
The responsibility for monitoring and ensuring appropriate health and safety standards in the call centre industry rests with local authorities. Local authorities enforce the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and other relevant statutory provisions made under it, in call centre premises.
HSE has commissioned the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to conduct further detailed study of call centre working conditions. This will be reporting in spring 2001 and will result in further guidance to local authorities on the enforcement of health and safety law in these premises.