HC Deb 18 June 1924 vol 174 cc2112-3
Mr. HARDIE

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that at No. 23 Pit, Redding, the scene of the recent flooding disaster, men are working in the Number One Ball coal section under the old workings of Meadowbank Pit, and that considerable alarm is felt by the men owing to the heavy flow of water from the coal face, and will he have immediate inspection made, so as to prevent any further loss of life?

Mr. SHINWELL

I have no information about this, but I have given directions for immediate inquiry to be made.

Mr. HARDIE

May I ask whether the Secretary for Mines can tell me if he has been informed by the gentleman who knows, the Chief Inspector, as to who was responsible for giving permission to men to return into No. 23 pit which was flooded, and whether before those men were allowed to descend that mine, the mining Regulations regarding the boring in a vertical way, either up or down, or horizontally or at any angle—which is contained in the Act—those steps were taken in order to prove, before the men went into that mine, that it was secure; and, further, whether he will ask the Chief Inspector of Mines as to the quantity of water in Number One Ball coal section in which the men are now working at great danger? My last warning in this House was disregarded, and men were drowned.

Mr. SPEAKER

That is already more than the Minister can carry in his head. If the hon. Member will sit down, the Minister can reply.

Mr. HARDIE

I am not responsible for the mental capacity of the Minister. My last warning in this House was disregarded, with the result that 43 men were not accidentally drowned, but drowned, and if there is any more life lost in this direction, I am not going to blame the Secretary for Mines, because he knows nothing about the subject, but the Prime Minister, who has been responsible for this condition of things.

Mr. SHINWELL

That is an entirely different question from the original one put down, but if the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to put down such a question I will endeavour to obtain such information as he desires. I should like to say that we are giving our closest attention to the question of water danger in the mines of this country, and particularly in Scotland, and steps are being taken.

Mr. FERGUSON

Is it not the case that in the mine referred to they are using these bores? The hon. Member ought to know that.

Mr. HARDIE

Why did not the Secretary for Mines say so? The hon. Member knows nothing about it. [An HON. MEMBER: "Boyne Water."]

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