§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many major injuries were suffered by men working underground in mines operated by British Coal in 1978–79 and each succeeding year;
(2) how many major injuries were suffered by men working underground in private licensed mines in 1978–79 and each succeeding year;
(3) how many men were killed in private licensed mines in 1978–79 and each succeeding year;
(4) how many men were killed underground in mines operated by British Coal in 1978–79 and each succeeding year.
§ Mr. Nicholls[holding answer 15 January 1990]: The table lists underground fatal and major injuries at all coal mines for the period 1978 to 1987–88.
720WIt is not possible before 1987–88 separately to identify those underground accidents at licensed mines without incurring disproportionate costs.
Underground fatalities at all coal mines Underground major injuries at all coal mines 1978 46 427 1979 41 375 1980 39 445 1981 26 2697 1982 30 770 1983 25 697 1984–851 18 321 1985–864 22 622 1986–87 16 3809 1987–885 74 6651 83 1Covering the 15 month period January 1984-March 1985. 2The introduction of NADO Regulations 1980 on I January 1981 widened the coverage of the serious injury category. 3The introduction of RIDDOR Regulations 1985 on 1 April 1986 further widened the major injury categories. Major injury figures from 1981 and 1986–87 are therefore not directly comparable with earlier years. 4Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Mines have records of all fatal and major injury accidents for coal mines generally until 1984–85. From 1985–86 these records can be split to show accident figures at British Coal and licensed mines. 5Fatal and major accidents underground cannot be separated between British Coal and Licensed Mines before 1987–88. 6Cannot be separated between British Coal and Licensed Mines without incurring disproportionate costs. 7British Coal. 8Licensed mines.