§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has received any representations regarding the accident rate of companies contracted to British Coal; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsI have received no direct representations on this subject. However, accident trends are regularly discussed at meetings between British Coal, trade unions and Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines and quarries and the proposed new legislation to replace the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 is intended to improve safety standards for all persons employed at mines, including contractors.
§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total of underground fatal and major accidents among(a) British Coal employees and (b) employees of companies contracted to British Coal.
§ Mr. NichollsThe information requested is tabled for the years 1986–87 and 1987–88.
1986–87 1987–88 British Coal employees Fatal 13 8 Major injuries 727 560 Contracted employees Fatal — 1 Major injuries 45 52 Source: British Coal. Accidents reported under the Reporting of Incidents, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1985 do not distinguish between British Coal Corporation employees and those of contractors.