§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, for the most recent year, how many children were killed on farms; and if he will categorise the causes of these fatalities and the ages of the children.
§ Mrs. FennerThe details are as follows:
the prevalence of farmers' wives taking their children with them when helping on farms, with a view to revising the present safety regulations.
§ Mrs. FennerNo. I believe that this is a matter for the good sense of the farmers' wives concerned rather than for regulations. Our farm safety inspectorate is very much aware that there can so often be a risk situation where any young children accompany any persons engaged on farm work; and they will continue to publicise both the hazards that can arise and the need for the utmost care.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the figures for fatal and other accidents to workers employed in agriculture for each year since 1960; and if he will 387W express them as a percentage of the workers so employed.
AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN ENGLAND AND WALES—ACCIDENT STATISTICS* Fatal Accidents Non-fatal Accidents Year Number As percentage of all agricultural workers Number As percentage of all agricultural workers 1960 … … … … 43 .008 12,233 2.17 1961 … … … … 65 .012 10,869 2.03 1962 … … … … 54 .010 11,879 2.32 1963 … … … … 51 .010 12,550 2.53 1964 … … … … 53 .011 11,455 2.41 1965 … … … … 41 .009 10,128 2.25 1966 … … … … 62 .014 9,352 2.17 1967 … … … … 46 .011 8,572 2.16 1968 … … … … 52 .014 7,389 2.01 1969 … … … … 58 .016 7,387 2.09 1970 … … … … 31 .008 6,291 1.79 1971 … … … … 49 .014 5,711 1.64 1972 … … … … 42 .012 5,755 1.69 * The basis for compiling departmental accident statistics is set out in the Annual Report rendered Parliament.