§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (i) how many major injuries were suffered by men in mines operated by British Coal in 1978–79 and each succeeding year;
(2) how many major injuries were suffered by men in private licensed mines in 1978–79 and each succeeding year;
(3) how many men were killed in mines operated by British Coal in 1978–79 and each succeeding year.
§ Mr. Nicholls[holding answers 29 January 1990]: It is not possible separately to identify fatal and major injuries in British Coal and licensed coal mines before 1985–86 without incurring disproportionate costs. The following tables give the information that is valuable to Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines.
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Major injuries at all coal mines Fatal injuries at all coal mines 1978 494 63 1979 473 46 1980 512 42
Major injuries at all coal mines Fatal injuries at all coal mines 11981 815 35 1982 865 38 1983 824 30 21984–85 378 22 1 The introduction of NADO Regulations 1980 on 1 January 1981 widened the coverage of the serious injury category. Figures from 1981 are therefore not directly comparable with those for earlier years. 2 Covering the 15 month period January 1984-March 1985.
Major injuries at licensed coal mines Major injuries at British coal mines Fatal injuries at British coal mines 11985–86 17 715 28 1986–87 30 952 15 1987–88 27 729 9 1 The introduction of the RIDDOR Regulations 1985 on 1 April 1986 further widened the major injury category.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the mines inspectorate received copies of the annual reports of the National Coal Board and the British Coal Corporation in each year since 1978–79.
§ Mr. Nicholls[holding answer 29 January 1990]: The Health and Safety Executive's mines inspectorate has received copies of these annual reports.