§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many exemptions from any provisions relating to mines safety have been granted to British Coal by the mines inspectorate in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. NichollsThe total number of exemptions and consents granted by the Health and Safety Executive mines inspectorate from 1987–88 are as follows:
Number 1987–88 2,024 1988–89 1,911 11989–90 990 1 Provisional. It is not possible to give separate figures for exemptions and consents nor information prior to 1987–88 without incurring disproportionate cost.