§ 37. Mr. G. HIRSTasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has read the report of the inquest on the body of a workman named James Gentry, who lost his life on 10th March owing to the breaking of a. winding-rope at the Old Hemingfield Colliery, Elsecar; whether he has noticed that one of the witnesses refused to state how long the rope had been in use; whether the Coal Mines Act of 1911, Section 40 (5) and Section 66 (a), have been carried out; whether he will institute an inquiry into the cause of the breakage of the rope; and, in the event of the provisions of the Act not being complied with, does he intend to prosecute those responsible?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThis accident occurred at a pumping shaft belonging to the South Yorkshire Pumping Association. It has been fully investigated, and, according to my information, the winding rope which broke had been in use for more than three and a. half years and had not been recapped within the six months previous to the accident. It is said to have been examined daily, hut the result of the examination was not, always recorded. The coroner directed 1020 the jury that the Coal Mines Act does not apply to this pumping station, and I am considering what action I can take.
§ Mr. HIRSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the winding rope in this colliery was put in eight years ago; that it has never been changed since; that one man or more men go down that nit every day; that there was a new rope brought in two years ago: that the men have invariably asked for the new rope to be put on, but the manager has told them that the other rope was good enough; and is he also aware that the feeling among the men in this district is that this man's life has been absolutely thrown away by had management?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe hon. Gentleman will see that there is a question of doubt as to whether this comes under the Coal Mines Act, and what our powers are in the matter, but I am looking into it.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the witnesses refused to reply to a question submitted by his inspector at the inquest held on this individual?