asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what responses he has received from the British Medical Association, the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress to the consultation paper issued by the Department of Health and Social Security on proposals to extend statutory sick pay for employees from eight weeks to 28 weeks.

No responses from the British Medical Association and the Confederation of British Industry have yet been received to the consultation paper. Draft comments have been received from the Trades Union Congress. The TUC comments state that it does not oppose in principle the further extension of the coverage of statutory sick pay. It proposes that the rates of statutory sick pay should be increased and makes a number of comments on the individual points raised in the consultation paper. These will be carefully considered along with all the other representations received.