HC Deb 29 July 1983 vol 46 cc661-2W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many recorded deaths there have been, in each of the last five years for which figures are available, from electrocution by power cables.

Mr. John Patten

Information is not readily available. Numbers of deaths for the last five years for accidents involving electric currents other than domestic wiring or appliances are given in the following table.

A special study of such deaths in 1978 shows that 20 deaths mentioned overhead cables and a further 7 mentioned other power cables; in addition to the accidental deaths, there was one suicide and one open verdict death involving overhead cables.

Number of deaths due to accidents caused by electric current*,1978–82 (England and Wales)
Year No. of deaths
1978 66
1979 37
1980 48
1981 57
1982 39

* Excluding those deaths from domestic wiring and appliances.