Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 1998. It was answered by Gavin Strang (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will introduce legislation to make it a legal requirement for employers of lorry drivers working overseas to be fully insured for accident and loss of life including the costs of returning bodies to the United Kingdom. - Inc ref to Employer's Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.

Answer: Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to make it a legal requirement for employers of lorry drivers working overseas to be fully insured for accident and loss of life including the costs of returning bodies to the United Kingdom. [49952] Dr. Strang: The Employer's Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 already requires employers to insure their liability to employees for bodily injury or disease sustained during their employment. If an employee is normally based in Great Britain, their employer is required to have employer's liability insurance for them. Where the employer's liability is proved, a relevant policy will pay compensation for loss of life, and refund the expense of returning a body to the United Kingdom.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 316 c177W; 49952
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Death Accidents Health and safety Insurance Employers' liability Large goods vehicle drivers