§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are his conclusions arising from the Health and Safety report on the underground train accident at Bentley colliery; and if any general instructions are being issued as a consequence of the report.
§ Mr. MayhewThe report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Mines and Quarries published on 3 October 1979 drew a number of conclusions and made recommendations which would reduce the risk of such accidents occurring. I have nothing to add to those conclusions and recommendations. A copy of the report is available in the Library of the House.
Immediately following the Bentley accident, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Mines and Quarries instituted an industry-wide review of locomotive man-riding practices aimed to ensure that the circumstances which gave rise to the accident could not occur elsewhere. Action to implement the recommendations in the report is being taken by the National Coal Board and the trade unions. Lessons to be learnt from the report are being discussed between the NCB, the unions, and the mines and quarries inspectorate at national and local level.