HC Deb 25 March 1926 vol 193 c1382
73. Mr. HAYDAY

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents, fatal and non-fatal, respectively, received by boys of 16 years of age and under employed in or about the coal mines for the year ending 1925

The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)

79 boys of 16 years of age and under employed in and about mines under the Coal Mines Act were killed during the year 1925, and 15,241 were disabled for more than three days. The number of boys employed in 1924, the latest year for which figures are available, was 64,799.

Mr. HAYDAY

Is the Minister satisfied that all necessary precautions have been taken to prevent such a huge toll of death and injury to young persons; and, further, is it not possible to have some inquiry into the employment of such a huge number of lads under 16 in and about our coal mines?

Colonel LANE FOX

Yes, Sir; I agree that there is a deplorable toll of accidents, but, of course, a great many are very slight. Every inquiry is constantly being made as to the conditions of employment and so on.

Mr. PALING

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures represent an increase or a decrease on the previous year?

Colonel LANE FOX

I must ask for notice of that question.