HC Deb 24 May 1990 vol 173 c292W
Mr. Prescott

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway staff have been killed or suffered major injuries for the period 1979 to 1983 and 1984 to 1988; and what they represent as a proportion per 1,000 railway staff employed.

Mr. Parkinson

[holding answer 22 May 1990]: In the period 1984 to 1988, 98 staff died and 979 suffered major injuries, totalling 1,077. The average number of staff employed during that period was 181,200. The proportion of deaths and major injuries to 1,000 employed was 5.94 per cent.

In the period 1979 to 1983, 153 railway staff died and 1,613 suffered major injuries, totalling 1,766. The average number of staff employed during that period was 228,200. The proportion of deaths and major injuries to 1,000 employed was 7.74 per cent.

In the period 1974 to 1978, 209 railway staff died and 3,023 suffered major injuries, totalling 3,232. The average number of staff employed during that period was 264,400. The proportion of deaths and major injuries to 1,000 employed was 13.1 per cent.

Mr. Prescott

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the total figures of death and major injuries in the railway industry for the period 1979 to 1983 and 1984 to 1988; and what is the total percentage increase.

Mr. Parkinson

[holding answer 22 May 1990]: In the period 1974 to 1978 there were 500 deaths (including passengers, staff and others) and 3,855 major injuries, totalling 4,355. In the period 1979 to 1983, there were 374 deaths and 2,330 major injuries, totalling 2,704. This represents a reduction of 37.9 per cent. In the period 1984 to 1988, there were 448 deaths and 1,983 major injuries, totalling 2,431. This represents a reduction of 10.1 per cent.