To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she proposes to take to protect manufacturing industry from excessive increases in employers' liability insurance. [105654]

The Government are very concerned by reports of significant rises in insurance premiums, and is undertaking a review, led by the Department for Work and Pensions(DWP), to assess the scale and nature of difficulties with the Employers Liability Insurance system. A wide range of key stakeholders and interested parties including representatives from the manufacturing sector has been engaged in the process. Further details of the review are available at wwwxlwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2002/health-safety/eli-review/indexWe are taking action to help manufactures facing difficult conditions in the global slowdown through the Manufacturing Strategy, which has been developed in partnership with industry. Further details on the Manufacturing Strategy can be found at the DTI website, www.dti.gov.uk/manufacturing/index.htm.dti