§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what training individual inspectors in the mines and quarries inspectorate have received to enable them to prepare all the necessary documents for a prosecution to be taken on indictment in the Crown court.
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§ Mr. NichollsAs a result of a comprehensive training programme, all inspectors of the mines and quarries inspectorate have the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare the documentation for consideration for prosecution.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the next meeting is to take place between the Health and Safety Executive and the Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries to review progress in reducing the number of fatal and serious accidents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsWhen the chief inspector saw the executive on 23 March, he described a number of measures already in train to improve health and safety in quarries, and they were discussed. The measures in train are the responsibility of the chief inspector and need time to develop before a meeting to review progress could be useful.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many prohibition and improvement notices have been issued by the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate; and how many prosecutions there are now pending following the meeting in April between Dr. Mike Jones and the health and safety executive.
§ Mr. NichollsThe information requested is listed for the period 14 April 1988 to 20 May 1988.
Number Improvement Notices issued 13 Deferred Prohibition Notices issued 9 Immediate Prohibition Notices issued 30 Prosecutions Pending 2
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to transfer the duty to prosecute under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 from the mines and quarries inspectorate to the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThere is no need to change the existing arrangements since the Director of Public Prosecutions in England and Wales and the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland can already initiate proceedings in respect of contraventions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.