Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring licensed pubs, restaurants and other food-serving establishments to have at least one member of staff on duty who holds a valid first aid qualification, including training in the recognition and treatment of choking emergencies.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate to enable first aid to be rendered to employees who are injured or become ill at work. A needs assessment will determine the first-aid requirements that are appropriate for that business. However, these regulations do not apply to non-employees such as customers.

Where work includes the provision of a service to others ie non-employees in a restaurant or pub, guidance from the Health and Safety Executive strongly recommends that their needs are included in this assessment.

Where a need for a first aider is identified, it should be noted that responding to choking emergencies is a core competency of the Emergency First Aid at Work or First Aid at Work qualifications.