Mr.
Gauke: Given that swine flu is back in the news today, one
potential issue is that employers might want to instigate checks and
make them available to their employees in an attempt to respond to it,
particularly in the autumn when there are likely to be concerns about
swine flu again. In clause 55, it appears that an additional check in
the course of the year would be taxable. I understand why it is not
addressed in the legislation, but would the Treasury be willing to
reconsider if concerns about swine flu increased and such checks became
widely
available?
Kitty
Ussher: We are not planning to look at this again. A
company wishing to undertake swine flu checks on its entire staff would
do so for both humane and business continuity reasons. It is ultimately
a commercial decision for the company. There are intense efforts across
Government to ensure, through the national health service, an
appropriate response to any future swine flu pandemic, and that will
proceed as normal, regardless of where people
work. Question
put and agreed
to. Clause
55 accordingly ordered to stand part of the
Bill. Ordered,
That further consideration be now
adjourned. —(Mr.
Blizzard.) 2.21
pm Adjourned
till Tuesday 16 June at half-past Ten
o’clock.
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