date: 23 November 2004 embargo: For immediate release

Attention: industrial and political correspondents, safety media

TUC comment on Queen's Speech

Commenting on the announcement today (Tuesday) that there is to be a draft bill on corporate manslaughter, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

"After many years of waiting, we are pleased to see a draft bill on corporate manslaughter finally make it into the Queen's Speech. The proposed legislation will make life more difficult for the bosses who show scant regard for the health and safety of their employees and the public.

"But we are disappointed that the bill doesn't threaten individual directors with the ultimate sanction of a jail sentence, nor does it end crown immunity. The Government should be leading by example and we will continue to press ministers to change their minds on these crucial points."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access

pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries : Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07699 713182 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; Pager: 07699 744115; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Skills for Life and media enquiries : Dan Ashley T: 020 7467 1372; M: 07880 504 846;
E: dashley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 23 Nov 2004