§ 62. Mr. WINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the continuous fatalities in the coal mines of Durham caused by falls of roof; and if he will say whether the same arises from shortage of timber or slackness in inspection?
§ Sir J. SIMONForty-six fatalities have occurred during the present year, as compared with thirty-seven during the corresponding period last year, but in comparing the figures of this year with those of last it should be remembered that during August and September, 1914, a great deal of short time was worked and some pits were closed. The fatalities in the last two months have been somewhat high, numbering fifteen, but the investigations of the inspectors showed that none of them were due to the causes suggested in the question.