Written question asked by Joan Walley (Labour) on Monday, 25 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 December 2002. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 December 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many inspections have been undertaken in North Staffordshire to measure compliance with the requirement for companies to have current employers liability insurance.

Answer: Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many inspections have been undertaken in North Staffordshire to measure compliance with the requirement for companies to have current employers liability insurance. [84048] Mr. Nicholas Brown: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are not able to break down information specifically for North Staffordshire. Information available covers the Marches area, which comprises Shropshire and Staffordshire. During the period 1 April 2002 to 30 September 2002 HSE recorded a total of 117 contacts with companies where Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) was covered in the Marches area. These contacts were achieved by a combination of visits and phone calls. The display of a valid certificate for employers liability insurance is one of a number of issues covered by HSE Inspectors and Workplace Contact Officers. There were four occasions in the Marches area during the period April to September 2002, where a valid certificate of employer's liability could not be produced. In each case HSE made a statutory request (`Notice to Produce') for its production. All four companies complied with the request within the stated period.

Secondary information