§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 721, on workplace injuries, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the increase in major injuries reported between 1995–96 and 1996–97 which is accounted for by the extension of the definition of major injuries in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. [14472]
§ Angela EagleBased on provisional figures for 1996–97 it is estimated that at least 45 per cent. of the increase in major injuries to employees, and all of the increase in major injuries to the self-employed reported to HSE and local authorities between 1995–96 and 1996–97 is accounted for by the extension of the definition of major injury in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. The remaining 55 per cent. of the increase in major injuries to employees could be due to extensions to the definition of injuries reportable under RIDDOR 1995. These cannot be separately identified since they are classified within general categories previously reportable as major injuries.
Figures for 1997–98 will be available next summer. At that stage we will be able to make a better assessment of the effects of the changes brought by RIDDOR 1995. However, there is no room for complacency, any accidents at work are unacceptable and we have asked the Health and Safety Commission to analyse the statistics further and to try to identify the main influences.