§ Mr. AlisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the annual average number of fatalities and major injuries in British Coal's mines in 1969–70, 1979–80 and 1989–90.
§ Mr. ForthThe information requested is as follows:
British Coal Corporation's mines Year Average number of fatalities Average number of major injuries 1969–70 96 677 1979–80 44 493 1989–901 15 580 1 Figures for 1989 and 1990 are provisional. Statutory changes in the recording of serious and major injury reporting took place in 1981 and 1986, both widening the scope of reportable injuries. As a result of these changes, accidents recorded after 1986 are not comparable with earlier years.