24. Mr. W. M. ADAMSONasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has noted the evidence given and the statement of the jury at the inquest on two miners who were killed in a winding-cage accident at the Cannock and Rugeley collieries, Wimblebury, recently; whether he is satisfied that adequate precautions were taken with the working of the new winding engine prior to the accident; and whether he will take steps to, have a full inquiry into the matter?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have seen the evidence and the jury's statement, as well as a full report from the inspector who investigated this unfortunate accident. There is no doubt as to its cause; the winding engineman candidly admitted his mistake. Proper precautions were taken in installing the new engine, but I am inclined to agree with the jury's view that this engineman should have had more practice with it before winding men.
Mr. ADAMSONWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to whether a further inquiry will be made with a view to avoiding such accidents where lack of practice is evidently the cause?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir; I think the inquiry by the inspector was sufficient. There was no doubt about the facts. They were admitted.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many men were injured besides the two men who were killed?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe hon. Member had better put down a question. I cannot say exactly.
Mr. ADAMSONWas not the inquiry only with regard to the death of the two men and as to how the accident happened, and not as to who might be responsible?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir. I think the whole thing was gone into, and the cause of the accident to the two men who were killed would equally be the cause of the accident to the others.
Mr. ADAMSONIs not the management responsible for putting on an engine a winder who has not had actual practice?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, Sir. I quite agree that it was unfortunate that the man had not had more practice, but he was not forced to do anything. It was at his own option that he took this risk, as he had had a good many preliminary windings of coal only and felt himself fully competent to do the work of winding men.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI would like to ask the Secretary for Mines if he does not think that here is something which has to do with these accidents. I have four pay leaves which came up on Saturday from Kirkaldy and Dumfriesshire. The first pay leaf is 4d. for a week, a 1d. for a week, 14s. 10d. for a week, after all the deductions are taken off, and 13s. 7d. Is not that the reason why there are accidents in the mines—because the miners are being starved to death?