§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the official Returns of accidents in mines do not include accidents for which compensation is paid by the employers; and whether he will direct for the future that all accidents in mines where the owner has to pay compensation shall be reported to His Majesty's inspectors, and such accidents be duly given in the official Returns.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) Whether or no an accident must be reported depends on the extent and nature of the injury sustained, and not on the payment of compensation. I have no power under the Mines Acts to direct that accidents in respect of which compensation is paid shall be separately reported by the owners, but I am proposing in the Accidents (Mines and Factories) Bill, which is now before the House, to 1052 provide for a yearly Return being made by mineowners of all accidents which disable for a period of more that a fortnight. This Return will show approximately the number of accidents in which compensation is payable under the Workmen's Compensation Act.