Written question asked by Andrew Hunter (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 December 2000. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Thursday, 21 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what statistics his Department collates about injuries to children playing in local authority playgrounds; and if he will publish them. - Including table.

Answer: Mr. Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statistics his Department collates about injuries to children playing in local authority playgrounds; and if he will publish them. [143379] Mr. Meacher: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) collates statistics on those accidents which are reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. The table contains the statistics for the past four years. Injuries to children{ 1} in local authority{ 2} playgrounds{ 3} as reported to HSE{ 4} _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Fatal Non-fatal Total 1996-97 0 278 278 1997-98 1 195 196 1998-99 0 125 125 1999-2000{5} 1 104 105 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Children are defined as individuals aged one year and up including 15 years of age. A search criteria of 0 years produces records where age is not known as well as children aged under age of one. These data cannot be disagregated. {2} Local authorities have been identified by HSE: client status code--04. {3} Playgrounds have been identified by HSE: process environment code--5550. {4} Injuries reported to HSE's Field Operations Directorate. {5} Provisional.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 360 c297W; 143379
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Children Accidents Injuries Local government Playgrounds Statistics Safety
Legislation: Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk