HC Deb 16 June 1977 vol 933 cc226-8W
Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times losses of detonators were reported (a) from 1965 to 1969 and (b) from 1971 to 1976; and what were the losses in each case.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I regret that the details for 1965 to 1968 are not available. The figures for 1969 to 1976 are as follows:

Number of thefts Number of detonators involved Detonators later recovered Loss outstanding
1969 19 3,260 *
1970 16 2,419 *
1971 15 3,431 1,580 1,851
1972 11 2,087 400 1,687
1973 7 1,326 89 1,237
1974 3 219 219
1975 6 197 108 89
1976 10 437 275 162
* Information about the recovery of detonators in 1969 and 1970 is not available.

Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been charged with the illegal possession of detonators in Great Britain since 1973; how many of those so charged were convicted; and what were the sentences.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

This offence is defined in various Acts. It is not the practice to record centrally the offences under the individual subsections of all these Acts, and I regret, therefore, that the information is not available centrally.

Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of introducing a marking system for detonators manufactured by ICI Ltd. at its Ardeer factory, which would show whether the detonators were intended for use in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, or elsewhere.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he remains satisfied with the mandatory accounting procedures for the transfer of detonators from one organisation to another.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The security of explosives, including detonators, is kept under review. I am considering whether it is necessary to introduce further controls by regulation under the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974.

Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce a statutory requirement to report losses of detonators.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

There are arrangements under which losses are reported to the police and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Explosives. I am considering whether these arrangements, which are working satisfactorily, can with advantage, be made statutory by regulation under the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974.