HL Deb 19 December 1988 vol 502 cc1128-9

3.1 p.m.

Lord Dormand of Easington asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action is being taken to reduce the number of accidents in coal mines.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)

My Lords, in addition to regular inspections by the mines and quarries inspectors, the Health and Safety Commission has begun a programme of revision and renewal of mining safety legislation. Certain new regulations have recently been laid, and work is well advanced on others. While there is no room for complacency, the safety record in British mines is second to none.

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, is the Minister aware that a recent independent investigation of accidents in the North-East coalfield shows that major accidents increased from 1.98 per man shift in 1985–86 to 3.22 in 1987 and that the number of inspectors under the mines and quarries legislation was reduced from 115 in 1979 to 78 in October last year? That is largely a direct result of government action. Does the Minister accept that it is the unreasonable drive for production and profit that is leading to this highly dangerous situation?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I cannot agree with the noble Lord about the general trend which, in regard to accidents in the mining industry, is downwards. I concede that there were two more fatal accidents in the last period than in the previous comparable period. Any number of fatal accidents is too many. But the number is still tiny compared with those experienced in other mining industries around the world. We shall try to improve ours still further.

Baroness Turner of Camden

My Lords, will the Minister ensure that there is adequate consultation with the unions representing the workforce in the North-East to make sure that proper steps are taken to reduce the number of accidents?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, yes. The unions are consulted at all appropriate stages in this process, particularly in the drafting of the legislation to which I have referred.

Lord Dormand of Easington

My Lords, did the Minister see the recent outrageous statement by a senior member of British Coal who said, in advocating and recommending longer shifts: I see nothing wrong in any man working 10 hours underground"? As it is 50 years since the last Royal Commission on safety in the mines, and in spite of the information which the noble Lord has given, is it not time for another Royal Commission?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I do not believe that a Royal Commission is the appropriate way forward. But circumstances change, working conditions change and the use of modern technology changes, and it is therefore right that all aspects of employment should be kept under review.

Forward to