asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many prosecutions have been brought under section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; and how many and what percentage of such prosecutions has resulted in convictions and how many in acquitals.

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that 74 prosecutions have been brought by Health and Safety Executive inspectorates under section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act involving 91 informations. Of these, 76 (84 per cent.) resulted in convictions; 12 were dismissed and 3 withdrawn. Information in this detail is not available about prosecutions by local authorities.