§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware that on the 4th March, 1972, at the British Oak opencast coal dispersal unit, at Blacker Lane, Durkar, near Wakefield, three constituents of the hon. Member for Dearne Valley lost their lives due to a crane jib coming into contact with an overhead power cable; and, in view of the increase in this kind of fatality, if he will institute an inquiry into this particular kind of accident.
§ Mr. R. CarrYes. This accident, resulting in three deaths, was reported, and I learned of it with regret. There has406W been a decrease in fatal accidents on overhead electric lines since 1968, the figures being:
1968 10 1969 9 1970 7 1971 (provisionally) 7 I do not think that any purpose would be served by instituting an inquiry. The risk is well known to the construction industry, and my Department has been active both in publicising it, and in enforcing the relevant legal requirements.