25 and 26. PALINGasked the Secretary for Mines (1) how many collieries in Great Britain have steam-driven winding engines and electrically-driven winding engines, respectively;
(2) how many accidents have occurred during the last five years due to over-winding; how many have occurred since 1st December, 1926; how many deaths occurred as a result of such accidents; and in how many cases was electrically-driven winding gear in use?
§ Colonel LANE FOXAbout 2,440 collieries have steam winding engines and 240 electric. In the five years 1922–26 58 accidents occurred causing injury to persons employed, including 14 deaths; since the 1st December five such accidents have occurred, causing three deaths. One of the former, causing injury but not death, and none of the latter, occurred with an electric winder.
§ Mr. PALINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the figures prove that electrical winding-gear is safer than the other gear? Is there sufficient proof to warrant that?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI think, generally, that is so.