§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider introducing amending legislation to enable the National Coal Board to take over the retailing and distribution of coal to ensure that the pithead price and the retail price are more closely related.
Year Numbers employed surface and underground Fatal accidents Serious Reportable Total accidents including all resulting in three or more days absence (thousands) Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 1968 … 365.8 115 .03 851 .23 140,315 38 1969 … 326.4 100 .03 712 .22 117,783 36 1970 … 304.4 91 .03 641 .21 90,391 30 1971 … 297.7 72 .02 641 .22 77,176 26 1972 … 289.7 64 .02 519 .18 58,947 20 (There was a seven-week strike in 1972.) It would take too long to list the ways in which my Department is acting to reduce accidents in the coal mining industry, but improved safety standards are the subject of continuing joint consultation and action by the Department, the National Coal Board and the mining trades unions and professional institutions, both in this country and through the Mines Safety and Health Commission of the European Communities.