§ 21. Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the fatalities in coal mine accidents in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe health and safety of its employees is a first priority of British Coal. The general trend in the number of fatalities continues to decline: there have been 10 fatalities so far this year, compared with 20 for the corresponding period in 1985–86. Fatalities in the last 10 years were as follows:
Fatalities 1976–77 38 1977–78 48 1978–79 72 1979–80 31 1980–81 39 1981–82 34 1982–83 44 1983–84 122 1984–85 112 1985–86 27 Source: NCB Report and Accounts.
1Affected by industrial action.