HC Deb 06 November 2002 vol 392 cc303-4W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what help he gives businesses in the Scottish Borders to improve health and safety in the workplace. [75853]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

The Department of Work and Pensions is the sponsor department for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the government body set up to help protect people at work.

Health and safety law is enforced in the Scottish Borders, as it is throughout Great Britain, either by HSE inspectors or inspectors from the relevant local authority, depending on the nature of the work activity. Businesses receive advice during inspection visits or they can contact their local enforcing authority. In addition, HSE works in partnership with other organisations such as Scottish Enterprise and trade associations to provide advice to businesses in Scottish Borders.

HSE provides information and advice on improving health and safety in businesses in a variety of other ways. HSE Infoline, a telephone public inquiry service, answers general inquiries, gives information about free and priced publications and directs callers to other sources of advice in HSE. Over 600 free publications are available from HSE's website (www.hse.gov.uk).

HSE is also assisting Scottish Executive and other stakeholders in Scotland in setting up an occupational health and safety support service for small and medium sized enterprises and their employees across Scotland. The service will provide telephone advice and guidance with the possibility of a workplace visit carried out by an occupational health nurse or equivalent health and safety specialist.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to reform employer liability law. [75852]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

The Department is currently engaging with other interested Government Departments, the Health and Safety Executive and non-governmental organisations including the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress and the Association of British Insurers to discuss their assessment of the long-term issues affecting employers' liability compulsory insurance.