§ 29. Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost through strikes in 1988; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe estimate of the number of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial174W disputes in 1988 is not yet available. The most recently available figure for a 12-month period is for the period ending October 1988 during which it is provisionally estimated that 3,719,000 working days were lost.
§ 33. Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action he intends to take to reduce the incidence of injuries causing people to be off work for over three days.
§ Mr. NichollsResponsibility for ensuring the health and safety of people at work is laid upon employers by the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. The efforts of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive are targeted on those areas of work where people are at the greatest risk from death, injury or disease.
For 1988–89 the Government increased provision to the commission by £6.7 million gross above the level previously planned. In 1989–90 planned provision will be raised by a further £8.8 million gross, allowing for gross expenditure of £118.3 million. The planned provision for 1989–92 allows for real growth in the HSE's activities. This will enable the executive to increase the number of inspectors and the amount of inspection planned to promote and secure compliance with the law in order to help prevent occupational fatalities, injuries and diseases.
§ 56. Mr. KirkhopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many working days were lost through strikes in December 1987 and December 1978; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe number of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in December 1987 was 60,000; the comparable figure for December 1978 was 542,000.