§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many gas explosions causing injury or damage were reported in 1971; and how this compares with the two previous years.
§ Mr. Tom Boardman:Only figures of serious cases are available for 1969. In 264W that year they numbered 97, in 1970 the number was 95, and in 1971 67. For the purpose of reporting, cases are regarded as serious when they cause damage of £100 or more or involve fatalities. The number of explosions causing fatalities in the above years were four, seven and three, respectively.