HC Deb 09 May 1962 vol 659 cc414-5
6. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new steps he is taking to combat the rise in farm fatalities last year.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)

There are too many accidental deaths on farms and we are taking steps further to increase safety consciousness through publicity, education, advice and the vigorous enforcement of the existing safety regulations by a strengthened Safety Inspectorate. Further regulations concerning field machinery are being made which will be laid before the House shortly for approval.

Mr. Farr

Would my hon. Friend bear in mind the possibility of having printed a number of posters depicting certain of the major causes of farm fatalities, such as tractor accidents, and distributing them with the normal correspondence which farmers receive from various departments of the Ministry of Agriculture?

Mr. Vane

I will certainly consider that. We have a good deal of printed matter, although I am not sure whether we have something which exactly covers that point.

Mr. Hilton

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the answer to this problem is the immediate appointment of more farm inspectors? While appreciating that much has been done in recent times, everybody interested in agriculture is concerned with the increase in accidents, especially fatal accidents. Will he consider the immediate appointment of more safety inspectors?

Mr. Vane

I referred to the reorganisation and the strengthening of the Safety Inspectorate which is, I think, what the hon. Gentleman has in mind.