Written question asked by Marion Roe (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 March 2003. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Thursday, 27 March 2003 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, if he will require statutory bodies that place orders with the construction industry for the improvement of public services to be required to ensure through main contractors that all sub- and specialist-contractors hold employers liability compulsory insurance.

Answer: Mrs. Roe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will require statutory bodies that place orders with the construction industry for the improvement of public services to be required to ensure through main contractors that all sub- and specialist- contractors hold employers' liability compulsory insurance. [104851] Mr. Nicholas Brown: The Department for Work and Pensions maintains standard clauses in contracts with its direct contractors to ensure that required insurance policies, including employers' liability compulsory insurance, are taken out and maintained. The Department does not have any specific procedures to ensure that main contractors in the construction industry working for statutory bodies also ensure that all their specialist and sub-contractors have the required insurance policies in place. However there is a general requirement on all suppliers specified within the contracting arrangements to ensure that they meet all their legal obligations in this area. We will consider the introduction of specific procedures within the context of the review of employers' liability compulsory insurance.

Secondary information