Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of children who turn up at hospital because of playground accidents for every month since his Department started collecting figures; and if he will make a statement about those figures.
§ Mr. NichollsThe table shows the available information. Before 1986 reports of playground injuries cannot be separately identified. While a large number of these major injuries would have required attention at hospital I have no information on the exact numbers. Non-fatal injuries in playgrounds other than those specified as major are not reportable. I shall be writing to the hon. Member about the monthly breakdown of the figures.
Injuries to children, 18 years of age or younger, reported to the Health and Safety Executive's Factory and Agriculture Inspectorates for years beginning 1 April 1986–87 11987–88 Fatal 2Major Fatal 2Major Resulting from sports activities in school playgrounds 0 995 2 765 Resulting from indoor and outdoor play activities in school 0 2,161 1 1,234 In playgrounds other than those in schools 1 87 1 84 1 Provisional 2 Major injuries as scheduled under the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1986 (RIDDOR).