§ 29. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines whether special instructions have been issued to his mines' inspectors with regard to outcrop workings; and, if so, will he state what were these instructions?
§ Colonel LANE FOXWhen such workings come to the knowledge of the inspectors they are visited and every effort is made to secure that work is carried on safely. This is the usual practice in such circumstances and no special instructions have been found necessary.
Mr. R. SMITHMay I ask if there are any Government Regulations as to the amount of royalty that can be charged per ton?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThere are no Government Regulations about royalties. It is a matter of private contract
Mr. SMITHIs the right hon Gentleman aware that as much as 7s. 6d. per ton is being charged for royalties?
§ 32. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that coal is being produced from outcrop seams at Handsworth, near Sheffield; that blasting with gelignite has taken place within 14 yards from the public footpath; and will he state whether any of his inspectors have visited this place to ensure the public safety and to see that the mining regulations are being observed?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI am aware of the facts stated. Four visits have been made by Inspectors of Mines to these workings during this month and I am informed that they are being carried on under competent supervision and with proper regard to safety.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman believe that the use of gelignite within 14 yards of the footpath is within the bounds of safety, and does his inspector agree that this work should continue so close to a public footpath?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir. The occurrence took place on the 18th July, and nothing of the sort has occurred since. I am informed that on the day when the last shot was fired the footpath was cleared for a considerable distance, and the use of the explosive has since been stopped.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the use of gelignite within a distance of 14 yards of a public footpath comply with the Regulations laid down with regard to the use of explosives?
§ Colonel LANE FOXIt is not a question which comes under the Coal Mines (Regulation) Act. Outcrop working is a different thing. It is not a mine within the definition of the Act.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSUnder what special Act, or under what ordinary Act, would the use of explosives come? How can we ascertain whether or not the law was broken in this instance?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe position is rather a difficult one. Outcrop working is half-way between a quarry and a mine, and the definition is that the moment an outcrop working goes out of daylight it becomes a mine. But the Regulation is a little obscure.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes it mean that nobody has any control over this outcrop working; that nobody is responsible for the use of gelignite?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir, nothing of the sort. Work of that sort above ground would constitute it a quarry.
§ Commander WILLIAMSWould not all this be perfectly safe if people from the surrounding districts did not try to obstruct this work?
§ Mr. PALINGWill the right hon. Gentleman say who is responsible for looking after the safety of the public?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe inspector.
§ Mr. PALINGUnder what Department?
§ Colonel LANE FOXUnder the Mines Department.
§ 34. Mr. WILLIAMSalso asked how many accidents have taken place at outcrop workings during the present dispute, fatal and non-fatal; and in how many cases persons have been granted permission to use explosives for the purpose of producing coal from outcrop seams?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNine fatal accidents, causing 10 deaths, and 12 non-fatal accidents injuring 14 persons, have come to my knowledge. So far as my Department is concerned, no permission to use explosives for outcrop workings is required.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman say if, in all these fatal cases, the normal Regulations have been complied with; and, if not, will he tell the House how frequently his inspectors have visited these places?
§ Mr. SPENCERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the most serious danger in regard to these outcrops is the lack of suitable timber for the support of the roof; and will he give instructions to his inspectors that where suitable timber cannot be provided the works should be stopped?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe report which I have received on these cases shows that my inspectors have visited the place and have found that the roads are well timbered and the work had been carried on in a safe manner.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman state whether or not in these cases, where fatal accidents have taken place, the normal Regulations have been complied with; whether his inspectors have inquired into these cases, and, if so, with what result?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have already told the hon. Member that the position with regard to outcrop workings are rather peculiar. These outcrop workings have been visited by inspectors, and they report that, on the whole, everything is satisfactory.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think, having regard to the small number of men employed, the accident rate is very high and, in the circumstances, cannot something be done in order to safeguard these places?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI hope that in a very short time the outcrop workings will be no longer necessary.
§ Mr. HARDIEDo the inspectors ask where such explosives have been purchased, and ascertain if they have been purchased through the ordinary channels and in accordance with Act of Parliament?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir. If the hon. Member had listened to the answer which I gave—
§ Mr. HARD1EI did.
§ Colonel LANE FOX—he would have understood that in these cases the permission of the inspectors is not required in regard to explosives. It is not the case of an ordinary mine.
§ Mr. HARDIEMay I ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member seems to be raising a new question.
§ Mr. HARDIENo, Sir.
§ Mr. SPEAKERHe asked where the explosives can be obtained.
§ Mr. HARDIEOn a point of Order. I asked about the right hon. Gentleman's own inspectors.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWhatever the question is about, I suggest that it should be put on the Paper.