HC Deb 17 July 1978 vol 954 cc21-2W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the statement on page 84 of the health and safety report on the risks to the people of Canvey Island from hazardous industries there that no detailed statistics are available for tankers carrying pressurised gases, he will take steps to ensure that such statistics are collected forthwith.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that a pilot study of the factors affecting the vulnerability of road tankers in accidents is already in progress. This work is to be carried out by the safety and reliability directorate of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive.

This work includes the collection of statistics both on the number of accidents and related mileage information. It is, however, limited at present to tankers carrying petroleum spirit but consideration will be given to extending the project to the conveyance of other hazardous substances if it proves successful.