HC Deb 03 July 1989 vol 156 cc75-7W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the level of fines imposed on each of the largest 100 companies for health and safety offences in the last five years; what was the nature of the accident and the date in each case; and how many persons were killed or seriously injured or suffered minor injuries on each occasion.

Mr. Nicholls

[holding answer 29 June 1989]: The information requested could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Patchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each year since 1974(a) the number of prosecutions of (i) managers, (ii) supervisors and (iii) company directors and (b) the fines under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Mr. Nicholls

[holding answer 29 June 1989]: Available data do not differentiate between offences committed by managers, supervisors and company directors. The tables list the convictions obtained under section 36 and section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Section 36 provides for the prosecution of a person whose act, or inaction, has led another individual to commit an offence under the Act. Section 37 provides for the prosecution of a director, manager, secretary or similar officer of a body corporate for offence committed by that body corporate. Information is not available for years before 1981.

Prosecutions under section 36 since 1981
Year1 Convictions3 Average penalty per conviction
(£)
1981
1982 6 158
1983 7 275
1984 7 300
1985 9 500
19862 3 417
1986–87 9 156
1987–88 9 261

Prosecutions under section 37 since 1981
Year1 Convictions3 Average penalty per conviction
(£)
1981 7 179
1982 11 293
1983 6 221
1984 6 208
1985 11 218
19862 1 300
1986–87 5 400
1987–88 4 188
1 1981 to 1985—calendar year.
1986–87 onwards—year commencing 1 April.
2 January to March.
3 Data covers convictions obtained by the Factory and Agriculture Inspectorates (the vast majority of cases).

Mr. Patchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, for each year since 1974, the number of prosecutions of employees, and the outcome, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Mr. Nicholls

[holding answer 29 June 1989]: The table lists for each year since 1981, the number of convictions and average fines under section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which imposes a duty on every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions. Information is not available for years before 1981.

Convictions under section 7 of the HSW Act
1Year 2Convictions Average penalty per conviction
(£)
1981 19 81
1982 21 112
1983 29 104
1984 23 118
1985 30 209
Jan-March 1986 7 64
1986–87 21 132
1987–88 27 183
1 1981–85—calendar years.
1986–87 onwards—year commencing 1 April.
2 Data covers convictions obtained by the Factory and Agriculture Inspectorates (the vast majority of cases).

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