§ 40. Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to introduce further safety measures to protect farmers, farm workers and their families, in view of the increased number of people killed accidentally on farms in England and Wales in 1966.
§ Mr. HoyDraft regulations requiring the use on agricultural tractors of safety frames or cabs designed to protect the driver when his tractor overturns will be laid before the House as soon as possible.
§ Dr. DunwoodyI enthusiastically welcome this announcement, but may I ask my hon. Friend to ensure that the time we have to wait for the regulation is as short as possible because frightening numbers of people are being killed quite needlessly in these sorts of accident?
§ Mr. HoyI assure my hon. Friend that the time will be as short as possible—I hope not later than May.
§ Mr. Peter MillsWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that I have 1709 raised this subject constantly in the House and that since Christmas there have been two further deaths in my constituency? Therefore, the matter is very, very urgent.
§ Mr. HoyIt is true that the hon. Gentleman and others have raised this matter over a long period of years. We are taking action and we hope that it will not be long before it is effective.
§ 42. Mr. Hazellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents in agriculture for the year ended 31st December, 1966; and information on the proportion caused by animals, machinery, or some other cause.
§ Mr. HoyThere were 113 fatal accidents and 9,352 non-fatal accidents in agriculture in England and Wales in the year ended 31st December, 1966. Three per cent. of the fatal accidents and 10 per cent. of the non-fatal accidents were caused by animals; 63 per cent. and 21 per cent. by machinery, including electricity; and 34 per cent. and 69 per cent. by other causes.
§ Mr. HazellI thank my hon. Friend for that information. In view of the increased number of fatal accidents and the high level of accidents generally and the declining manpower, will my hon. Friend give an assurance that he will do everything possible to stimulate educational work throughout the farming industry and assist in the formation of safety committees under the umbrella of the county agricultural executive committees?
§ Mr. HoyWe are considering my hon. Friend's second point, but obviously safety on the farm must receive great priority. I assure him that we do everything we can—by leaflets, advertising, television, and so on—to try to bring home to people on the farms how important it is that safety measures not only are adopted but operate.
§ 43. Mr. Hazellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider the appointment of additional full-time Farm Safety Officers instead of the present practice of using Field Officers spending less than 25 per cent. of their time on farm safety work.
§ Mr. HoyI think that the present arrangement whereby 42 full-time safety specialists have the part-time assistance of some 450 Field Officers throughout England and Wales gives the most effective coverage of farm safety work that is compatible with the efficient use of resources.
§ Mr. HazellI regret to say to my hon. Friend that the workers in the industry are not at all happy with the present situation. Will he therefore keep an open mind on this subject when receiving representations?
§ Mr. HoyWe will keep an open mind. At present, this appears to be the best way of dealing with the matter, but we are prepared to consider any other recommendations made to us.