Call to delay Lofstedt Report

Health & Safety update 07/11/2011

The Shadow Welsh Secretary, Peter Hain, has called for a report by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt on health and safety in mining and other industries to be delayed while officials investigate the mining accident at Gleision. He represents the Neath constituency affected by the disaster. He said, "There are a number of important lessons from the Gleision tragedy for the future of mines' safety and rescue. I'm asking the secretary of state to delay the report by Professor Löfstedt, due by the end of this month, on regulations covering mining, among other sectors, so account can be taken of a submission I plan for her and her Cabinet colleagues."

The Secretary of State said the report was being written and, because it was independent, it would be 'inappropriate' for ministers to delay its publication. But she added, "I am sure any lessons that can be learned from the investigation into the tragic events at the Gleision mine will be incorporated into any recommendations from Professor Löfstedt's report that are taken forward by the Health and Safety Executive."

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