To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the median rate of pay for homeworkers/outworkers; what are the highest and lowest levels and what occupations predominate at these levels;(2) if he will provide details of the number of people engaged in homework or outwork in the last five years; their sex, age, income and number of dependent children.

There are no routine statistics on homeworkers and outworkers. However, some information is available in Department of Employment research paper No. 60 "Home-based Work in Britain", published in May 1987. Tables 6.4 to 6.8 give earnings data; tables 3.1 to 3.4 provide details of the occupational distribution; and tables 4.1, 4.2, 4.8 and 4.15 contain breakdowns of numbers. All the data relate to 1981. A copy of the paper has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to extend health and safety legislation to include homeworkers.

Homeworkers, whether employed or self-employed, are already afforded the same protection as other workers under the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and subsidiary legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide details of the companies which have used homeworkers or outworkers in the last five years.

The information requested is not available.