HC Deb 31 July 1963 vol 682 cc89-90W
95. Mr. K. Lewis

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make a statement about the outcome of the inquiry which he has been conducting, in conjunction with the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, into the reporting of accidents under the Factories Act.

Mr. Hare

It appears from the survey that some 40 per cent. of all the accidents which should be reported by occupiers under the Factories Act, 1961, are not being reported. I have been assured by representatives of the British Employers' Confederation and of the Trades Union Congress of their co-operation in measures to improve the standard of reporting and to secure better information on this subject than we have had in the past. I propose to put detailed proposals to them at an early date. I should add that I welcome the joint statement which they issued last week calling for a greater degree of joint consultation in industry on safety matters. I hope that this action by the B.E.C. and the T.U.C. will stimulate a greater awareness on the part of all concerned in industry of the importance of the subject of accident prevention, and that one result will be a better standard of compliance of the law.