HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 cc1064-5W
Mr. Ian McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many deaths at work occurred in each of the last five years; how many cases the Health and Safety Executive has referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of manslaughter charges; how many prosecutions took place; and how many were successful. [41132]

Sir Paul Beresford

The number of deaths at work reported to all enforcing authorities, including local authorities, in each of the last five years is as follows:

Deaths at work
1991–92 473
1992–93 452
1993–94 403
1994–95 376
1995–961 338
1 Provisional.

The number of cases investigated by the Health and Safety Executive which have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service since April 1992 for consideration of possible manslaughter charges, and the outcome, is as follows:

Year1 Number of cases referred to CPS Prosecutions for manslaughter started by CPS Guilty verdicts
1992–93 12 2
1993–94 5 1 1
1994–95 12 4 1
1995–96 9 2 1
1996–97 2
Totals 40 9 3
1 Information for previous years is available only at disproportionate cost.