§ MR. MASONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will inquire into the cause of an explosion of fire damp which occurred in Bog Colliery, Yorkhall, on 2nd November last, whereby three men were injured; if it was the duty of the manager to have reported the explosion to the Inspector of Mines; whether the Inspector's attention was called to the accident eight days thereafter; and, what action was taken thereupon?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CHILDERS)As soon as the hon. Member called my attention to this explosion I at once made inquiry into the matter. It appears that the Inspector visited the mine on November 10, the accident having occurred on the second of that month. Undoubtedly, it was the duty of the manager to report the accident, and he probably did so. The accident was caused by the fall of a roof, in which it seems that a small quantity of gas was lurking. This was driven out by the concussion of a fall, and ignited at one of the lamps which the men were using. As no gas had been seen in the colliery for two years naked lights were used. The Inspector attaches no blame to the men under these circumstances. In consequence of this accident safety lamps are now being used in the mine.