HC Deb 24 February 2003 vol 400 cc340-1W
Mrs. Helen Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether his Department and its agencies have met the commitment arising from Action Point 13 of the June 2000 strategy statement on Revitalising Health and Safety to summarise health and safety performance and plans in annual reports from the year 2000–01 onwards. [89502]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

There was insufficient time for my Department to include a contribution on Health and Safety to the Department's annual report for 2000–01. We did include a contribution on performance and planning progress in 2001–02 and are currently preparing a more detailed entry for the 2002–03 report.

Mrs. Helen Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information he has on the application to his Department and its agencies of the checklist, circulated by letter by Sir Richard Mottram, referred to under Action Point 12 of the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy statement; and if he will make a statement. [89504]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

My Department's existing health and safety policy and procedures already incorporate many of the recommendations summarised in the ministerial checklist. The updated policy now under preparation will review existing provisions; update systems and approaches as necessary; establish new baselines against rigorous targets for reductions in work-related accidents and ill-health; and ensure that the Department can fully demonstrate compliance with these recommendations in addition to continuing to meet all of our statutory requirements.