The Government have no plans to reinstate national targets. The strategic framework for road safety sets out measures that we intend to take to continue to reduce casualties. Those include making forecasts of the casualty numbers that we might expect to see through to 2030 if our measures, and the actions of local authorities, are successful.

The Government have no plans to reinstate national targets. The strategic framework for road safety sets out measures that we intend to take to continue to reduce casualties. Those include making forecasts of the casualty numbers that we might expect to see through to 2030 if our measures, and the actions of local authorities, are successful.

I will never take safety lightly; it must always be uppermost in the mind of the Secretary of State for Transport. The United Kingdom has a very good record. In 1979, the number of people killed on the roads was 6,352. In 2011, the number was 1,901. That is still far too many, but the country has been heading in the right direction.

I will never take safety lightly; it must always be uppermost in the mind of the Secretary of State for Transport. The United Kingdom has a very good record. In 1979, the number of people killed on the roads was 6,352. In 2011, the number was 1,901. That is still far too many, but the country has been heading in the right direction.

I am always willing to look at the hon. Lady’s representations. It is important that we take a range of measures to improve safety. We have taken a range of measures, as have the companies that produce cars. There is no doubt that cars are much more responsive in their braking power than they were 30 years ago. We have made movements in the right direction. In some areas, 20 mph speed limits are right.

I am always willing to look at the hon. Lady’s representations. It is important that we take a range of measures to improve safety. We have taken a range of measures, as have the companies that produce cars. There is no doubt that cars are much more responsive in their braking power than they were 30 years ago. We have made movements in the right direction. In some areas, 20 mph speed limits are right.

Indeed. The hon. Gentleman is right: a fatality not only causes huge damage and a dramatic situation for the family involved in that tragedy, but there is also cost to the health service and other services. There has been no diminution in the desire of the Department for Transport to improve road safety, and there will not be while I am Secretary of State.

Indeed. The hon. Gentleman is right: a fatality not only causes huge damage and a dramatic situation for the family involved in that tragedy, but there is also cost to the health service and other services. There has been no diminution in the desire of the Department for Transport to improve road safety, and there will not be while I am Secretary of State.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend; he makes an interesting point. Whenever serious or fatal accidents take place I want a proper investigation to take place, the results of which can be carried across to provide experience to other local authorities throughout the United Kingdom.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend; he makes an interesting point. Whenever serious or fatal accidents take place I want a proper investigation to take place, the results of which can be carried across to provide experience to other local authorities throughout the United Kingdom.

I know the hon. Gentleman takes this issue incredibly seriously, and although he talks about deaths I think we should look at the seriously injured as well. In the year ending June 2012, there were 1,790 deaths on British roads—a 6% drop on the year before.

I know the hon. Gentleman takes this issue incredibly seriously, and although he talks about deaths I think we should look at the seriously injured as well. In the year ending June 2012, there were 1,790 deaths on British roads—a 6% drop on the year before.

A number of representations on young drivers have been made to the Department for Transport and, as I said in that interview, they are all worth considering and investigating properly to see whether we can reduce the terrible toll that is sometimes caused by young drivers. However, that is not so of all young drivers. We read about the horrendous cases, but not about the many cases where young drivers behave and act responsibly on the road, as do other road users.

A number of representations on young drivers have been made to the Department for Transport and, as I said in that interview, they are all worth considering and investigating properly to see whether we can reduce the terrible toll that is sometimes caused by young drivers. However, that is not so of all young drivers. We read about the horrendous cases, but not about the many cases where young drivers behave and act responsibly on the road, as do other road users.

How many post office employees received injuries caused by dog attacks while delivering letters and parcels in 1993; how many work days were lost as a result. - Includes figures.

How many post office employees received injuries caused by dog attacks while delivering letters and parcels in 1993; how many work days were lost as a result. - Includes figures.

If he will publish statistics for firework injuries for 1993. - Ref to 241 c518W. (Holding answer 21 April 1994).

If he will publish statistics for firework injuries for 1993. - Ref to 241 c518W. (Holding answer 21 April 1994).

How many people in Britain were injured by fireworks for each year since 1980; and what percentage of those injured for each year was under 16 years old. - Inc table.

How many people in Britain were injured by fireworks for each year since 1980; and what percentage of those injured for each year was under 16 years old. - Inc table.

How long after 5th November estimated figures for the number of firework injuries are made available to his Department. - Returns are usually received by Consumer Safety Unit by end of Feb of following year. (Holding answer 27 May 1993).

How long after 5th November estimated figures for the number of firework injuries are made available to his Department. - Returns are usually received by Consumer Safety Unit by end of Feb of following year. (Holding answer 27 May 1993).

How many industrial accidents have taken place in United Kingdom port activities since July 1989. - Inc table.

How many industrial accidents have taken place in United Kingdom port activities since July 1989. - Inc table.

If he will list all reportable accidents and incidents that have occurred at (a) BNFL Chapel Cross, (b) BNFL Calderhall, (c) BNFL Sellafield, (d) BNFL Springfield and (e) BNFL Capenhurst since 1962; and if he will provide a breakdown of the annual totals into the number of (i) fatalities, (ii)...

If he will list all reportable accidents and incidents that have occurred at (a) BNFL Chapel Cross, (b) BNFL Calderhall, (c) BNFL Sellafield, (d) BNFL Springfield and (e) BNFL Capenhurst since 1962; and if he will provide a breakdown of the annual totals into the number of (i) fatalities, (ii)...

If she will list the companies which have been prosecuted for breach of health and safety regulations since 1987 distinguishing those in which fatalities have resulted, and those in which injuries have occurred. - Inc figures.

If she will list the companies which have been prosecuted for breach of health and safety regulations since 1987 distinguishing those in which fatalities have resulted, and those in which injuries have occurred. - Inc figures.

How many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful prosecutions took place in each of the last five years as a result of investigations into deaths and major injuries on construction sites in the North West. - Info could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

How many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful prosecutions took place in each of the last five years as a result of investigations into deaths and major injuries on construction sites in the North West. - Info could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

How many deaths and major injuries have occurred on construction sites in the North West in each of the last five years. - Table given.

How many deaths and major injuries have occurred on construction sites in the North West in each of the last five years. - Table given.

How many deaths and serious injuries have occurred on construction sites in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole in each of the past five years. - Inc table.

How many deaths and serious injuries have occurred on construction sites in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole in each of the past five years. - Inc table.

What representations she has received and what studies she has made concerning the problem of injuries sustained to individuals by discarded syringes; and if she will take action to require that such equipment shall be disposed of responsibly.

What representations she has received and what studies she has made concerning the problem of injuries sustained to individuals by discarded syringes; and if she will take action to require that such equipment shall be disposed of responsibly.