To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the saving on industrial injuries benefit from a 10 per cent. reduction in industrial accidents. [18808]

[holding answer 2 December 1997]:Less than 10 per cent. of all industrial injuries disablement benefit accident assessments payable per year are in respect of new claims. Based on the most recently available figures for 1995–96, the estimated savings from a 10 per cent. reduction in new industrial accident claims would be up to £5 million in the first year, rising eventually to £25 million in the very long term.