HC Deb 15 June 1972 vol 838 cc389-91W
Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions have been instituted against employers in breach of statutory duty in relation to Acts, other than the Factories Acts, involving safety at work, such as mines and guarries, shops and offices during 1970 and 1971 set out under the various Acts.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Following is the information:

1970 1971
Offices Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963 432 474
Agriculture (Poisonous Substances) Act, 1952 5 1
Agriculture (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act, 1956 190 211
Explosives Acts, 1875 and 1923 30 13
Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928 25 30
Radioactive Substances Act,1960 16 —
Mines and Quarries Act,1954 8 3
Algali, &c. Works Regulation Act, 1906 2 3
Nuclear Installations Act,1965 — —

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what criteria decisions in relation to prosecutions under the Factories Act and regulations are made.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The factors taken into account include the seriousness of the alleged contravention, the degree of risk involved and the attitude of the company or person concerned to his legal obligations.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many actions for negligence and for breach of statutory duty under the Factories Acts came before the courts during 1970 and 1971; how many were successful; and how many were settled before coming to court.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The Factory Inspectorate became involved with these actions only when required by one of the parties to supply information deriving from the investigation of an accident. My Department has therefore no information about the number of actions. I understand that the information is not available elsewhere.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what figures he has in relation to the number of cases of alleged negligence and/or breach of statutory duty which did not reach the stage of court action but which were the subject of compensation in 1971.

Mr. Dudley Smith

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases of breach of statutory duty were reported to him during 1970 and 1971 in relation to the Factories Acts and regulations under the Act.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Cases taken before the courts which led to convictions under the Factories Acts are published in the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories. The figures are:

1970 2,749
1971 2,885