§ 64. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to a shot-firing accident at Cronton Collieries, Prescot, Lancashire, on the 16th March, causing the death of a workman, although the regulations were carried out and it was assumed he was clear of danger; and what steps his Department are taking to prevent similar accidents?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)I am aware of the accident referred to. This unfortunate man and his companions had taken what appeared to be adequate shelter round a corner, but he was struck by a piece of coal, projected by a shot, which must have ricochetted. The inspectors are constantly emphasising the need for taking adequate shelter when shots are to be fired, but—without suggesting that there was any error of judgment in this case—it is impossible for them to prevent
| NUMBER OF COAL MINES at work and the Number of Persons employed in December in the Counties of Fife and Clackmannan in 1913, 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927. | |||||||
| Year. | County. | ||||||
| Fife. | Clackmannan. | ||||||
| Number of Mines at work. | Number of Persons employed. | Number of Mines at work. | Number of Persons employed. | ||||
| 1913 | … | … | … | 57 | 29,322 | 5 | 1,264 |
| 1924 | … | … | … | 64 | 30,089 | 6 | 1,520 |
| 1925 | … | … | … | 55 | 27,391 | 6 | 1,379 |
| 1926 | … | … | … | 58 | 17,512 | 6 | 1,361 |
| 1927 | … | … | … | 56 | 22,546 | 6 | 1,234 |
69. Mr. WATSONasked the Secretary for Mines the number and names of the collieries that have ceased working in the counties of Fife and Clackmannan since the beginning of the present year and until the latest available date; the number of persons rendered idle in each colliery, stated separately; and the num-
§ occasional errors of judgment in the matter.
§ Mr. TINKERAre we to understand that the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department does not intend to take any further precautions against this kind of thing?
§ Commodore KINGI do not see how my Department, or any other authority, could possibly take precautions to prevent an accident such as this one.
§ Mr. TINKERI shall take the opportunity of the presentation of the Estimates for the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department to raise this question again.