§ 33. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the statement made by the coroner at Barnsley on 1st December, after an inquiry into the cause of the death of a colliery official named W. Bennett; and whether it is part of the duty of His Majesty's inspectors, when visiting collieries, to ascertain whether ambulance material and skilled first-aid men are available in case of accident?
§ Commodore KINGI have seen the statement referred to. It is the duty of His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines to see that all regulations, including those relating to first aid, are carried out. There was no breach of the regulations in this case. First-aid material was available, but a qualified first-aid man is not demanded by the regulation as the number of persons employed underground did not exceed 30.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes not the hon. and gallant Member think that, in view of the results in this unfortunate instance, skilled first-aid men ought to be available at every colliery to deal with accidents?
§ Commodore KINGCollieries employing less than 30 men are not required to do it. Obviously, it would be impossible to have qualified first-aid men at these small collieries.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that in this case, when the man met with a rather serious accident, there was no one present except an office boy to bandage him, and, in view of the fact that this man lost his life, does the hon. and gallant Member not think that legislation is necessary?
§ Commodore KINGNew regulations are at present under discussion, and I shall certainly bear this case in mind in dealing with them.