HC Deb 13 June 1912 vol 39 cc1053-4
65. Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the Home Secretary whether he is able to give the number of men engaged in pit sinking and the number of accidents, fatal and otherwise, which occurred to these men during each of the last ten years?

Mr. McKENNA

The figures of persons engaged and of accidents occurring in sinking pits are not tabulated separately, and the only information which I can give my hon. Friend is the number of fatal accidents, which I have had specially extracted from the lists of fatal accidents in the annual reports. I will circulate the information. I should add that the number of persons engaged in sinking operations is very fluctuating, and the workers are a migratory class who may be employed in one part of the country at one time, and in another part of the country or abroad at another time. [See Written Answers this date.]

66. Mr. J. WARD

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident which recently occurred while pit sinking at Blackwood, South Wales; whether his Department was represented at the inquiry; and what was the nature of their Report as to the cause and circumstances of the same?

Mr. McKENNA

My attention has been called to the accident at the Markham Colliery, to which I understand the question to refer. The inquest has not yet taken place; it was formally opened last month, and has been adjourned to a date not yet fixed. My Department will be represented at the adjourned inquest by the Inspector of Mines for the Division. I am not in a position to make any statement as to the cause of the disaster at present.

67. Mr. J. WARD

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the evidence given at the inquest at the Blackwood pit-sinking accident, to the effect that the chargemen regularly worked twelve hours; and, seeing that this is contrary to the Mines Regulation Acts, will he state what action he proposes to take?

Mr. McKENNA

I am informed that the chargemen sinkers were working twelve-hour spells. This time, however, includes time spent on the surface. I have no information at present before me to show that any infringement of the Act has been committed, but I will cause inquiry to be made in regard to the matter.