HC Deb 10 March 1976 vol 907 cc267-8W
Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales were killed by tractors in 1975; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Harold Walker

I have been asked to reply.

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that there were five people killed by tractors on farms in Wales in 1975, of whom two were children under 16 years of age. I cannot but deplore this tragic loss of life.

None of the tractors in these five fatal accidents was fitted with a safety cab.

Farm safety inspectors investigated 18 overturning incidents involving tractors fitted with safety cabs which occurred in Wales in 1975. and in every case the driver survived and the majority escaped without serious injury. This points to the effectiveness of the protection offered by an approved safety cab and I would urge all farmers who have not already done so to have one fitted as early as possible.