CONSTRUCTION FATALITIES

Early day motion 1117, tabled 22 February 2016 by Stephen Hepburn (Labour). Signed by 33 members.

That this House is alarmed that the length of time between a construction fatal accident occurring and a prosecution beginning is increasing, as in 2014-15 the average time between a construction fatal accident and a prosecution starting was 879 days; believes these delays are intolerable and for the families involved justice delayed must feel like justice denied; views with extreme concern that although the number of fatalities in construction has declined the percentage of prosecutions following a construction death being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fallen considerably and in 2010-11 the HSE managed to mount a prosecution in just 31 per cent of fatal accidents, and subsequent years reveal similarly low rates of prosecutions; and resolves to ensure that companies guilty in causing the death of a worker do not avoid justice and that delays in prosecuting companies are dramatically reduced.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, DUP 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.