Written question asked by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 October 2003. It was answered by Nigel Griffiths (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what information her Department has collected regarding the number of small and medium sized enterprises that have gone out of business in the past 12 months owing to the high cost of employer's liability compulsory insurance. - No figures.

Answer: Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information her Department has collected regarding the number of small- and medium-sized enterprises that have gone out of business in the past 12 months owing to the high cost of employer's liability compulsory insurance. [132859] Nigel Griffiths: In my discussions with the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, Institute of Directors, CBI SME Council and the Forum of Private Business in the past 12 months, during which time this subject has been raised, they have provided no figures and no specific cases of businesses citing these cases as the sole reason for ceasing to trade. Nor has the DTI been able to source such information elsewhere. I have been working with these organisations and the insurers to address issues arising from employer's liability insurance.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 132859; 411 c448W;411 c451W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Insolvency Insurance Increases Employers' liability Small businesses
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk