HC Deb 11 April 1984 vol 58 cc259-60W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many serious and fatal accidents, respectively, took place in zoos in each of the past five years; and how many of each total occurred in zoos owned by private persons or companies.

Mr. Gummer

I regret that figures for the total number of serious and fatal accidents occurring in all zoos do not exist in a readily available form. However, information is available for zoos owned by private persons or companies, for which the Health and Safety Executives' agricultural inspectorate is the enforcing authority. The information for the years 1979–83 inclusive is as follows:

  • Fatal accidents.—2 (both in 1980 at the same zoo).
  • Serious accident.—1 (in 1979).

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the safety arrangements which operate in zoos; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

We are satisfied that the general duties provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provide the Health and Safety Executive with adequate powers to ensure safety at zoos, and that considerable progress has been made through inspections and the provision of advice so that those who operate zoos have steadily improved the safety arrangements. We have no doubt that further progress can be made and to that end the Health and Safety Executive has been liaising with zoo and safari park operators, associations and other Government Departments to formulate standards for premises of this kind and to produce an approved code of practice. This approved code of practice will apply to zoo operators and persons working at zoos and should be ready for publication by the autumn. The Department of the Environment is also preparing a Code of Practice under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, which will deal firstly with animal care but will also cover safety and security aspects of keeping animals in zoos.

The two documents are complementary and taken together will provide extensive advice covering the safety both of those who work in zoos and of members of the public.