HC Deb 09 March 1911 vol 22 cc1398-9
Mr. MORRELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the disaster at the Hulton Colliery, and other similar accidents in recent-years, he was taking any immediate steps to ensure greater safety in coal mines?

Mr. CHURCHILL

This question of safety in mines was fully discussed in a Debate in this House last June, and I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement in the course of that Debate for a general outline of the policy of the Government in this matter. I may, perhaps, briefly recapitulate the measures which are now in progress. In the first place, the inspectorate is being very largely increased, and a new class of working-men inspectors being created, as I explained to the House in reply to a question on the 23rd November last. In the second place, a comprehensive Bill amending the Coal Mines Regulation Acts and dealing thoroughly with regulations as to safety, etc., in mines is far advanced in preparation, and will, I hope, pass into law this Session. Reports have just been submitted to me by two Committees, one of which has been engaged in revising the rules for the use of electricity in mines, and the other in preparing a draft Order to give effect to the provisions of the Rescue and Aid Bill which the House passed last Session. I hope to be able to act on both reports without delay. I may also mention that I have under consideration the question of the arrangement for the completion of the coal-dust experiments, and that progress is being made with the erection of the new station for the testing of explosives and safety lamps.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Have any of these working-class inspectors yet been appointed?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

When are they likely to be?

Mr. MORRELL

asked what was the number of inspectors now employed by the Government for the inspection of coal mines, and how many of these, previous to their appointment as inspectors, had had actual experience of working as colliers in the mines?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Excluding the Chief Inspector and Electrical Inspector of Mines, the number of inspectors for coal mines is at present thirty-seven. A Return was presented to the House in May, 1907, which will give my hon. Friend information as to the occupations of the inspectors then in the service previous to their appointment; but I may say shortly that no person is appointed to be an inspector of mines of the higher grade unless he holds a first-class certificate of competency under the Acts, one of the qualifications for obtaining which is that the candidate must have had five years' practical experience in a mine.

Mr. MORRELL

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to state when the working-class inspectors will be appointed?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am moving as rapidly as I can in this matter. I do not think it will be very long before I can make a statement to the House.