Dangerous Machinery

Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Labour – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 April 1967.

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Photo of Mr David Watkins Mr David Watkins , Consett 12:00, 10 April 1967

asked the Minister of Labour when he will introduce legislation to increase the penalty for failing to guard dangerous machinery.

Photo of Mr Ernest Fernyhough Mr Ernest Fernyhough , Jarrow

The maximum penalty for contraventions of the Factories Act and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act likely to cause death or bodily injury is now £300. My right hon. Friend has no proposals to increase these penalties at present but they will be reviewed when the Acts are next revised.

Photo of Mr David Watkins Mr David Watkins , Consett

Is my hon. Friend aware that anyone who kills another person through dangerously driving a motor car is liable to imprisonment, but that an employer of labour who kills an employee through failing adequately to safeguard dangerous machinery can be fined £300 only? Is not this an anomalous situation in need of rectification?

Photo of Mr Ernest Fernyhough Mr Ernest Fernyhough , Jarrow

I hope that the solution to this problem does not necessarily lie in the kind of concept which my hon. Friend has advocated. The sum was increased from £100 in 1959 to the present £300 in the last Factories Act, and will be taken into consideration when the Act is revised, whenever that may be.