§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment why only three prosecutions were instituted while 58 deaths occurred in quarries between 1975 and 1978; if he is satisfied with quarry inspections; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mayhew[pursuant to his reply, 31 January 1980]; The policy of the Health and Safety Executive is broadly to prosecute where employers or others concerned appear deliberately to have flouted the provisions of health and safety legislation; where they have been reckless in exposing persons to dangers; or where there have been repeated infringements of the law. Each case is examined carefully and treated on its merits. In reaching a decision on whether to prosecute in cases arising at quarries, HM mines and quarries inspectorate has taken the above criteria into account.
I am confident that Her Majestys' Mines and Quarries Inspectorate carries out its duties at quarries satisfactorily.