Mr. F. HALL(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any statement to make with regard to the explosion which took place at the Old Silkstone seam of the Allerton Bywater Colliery, Castleford, near Pontefract, Yorkshire, on Monday, the 10th March?
§ The SECRETARY of MINES (Mr. Ben Turner)This explosion occurred about half-past nine yesterday morning in the Old East District of the Silkstone seam. I deeply regret to say that four persons lost their lives and that two others were burnt, one of them very seriously. From preliminary investigations by the Divisional Inspector of Mines, the explosion appears to have followed immediately after the firing of a shot in the coal at the end of a longwall face.
Further investigations are in progress, and will take some time, but I propose to present to the House at the earliest possible moment a full report by the Divisional Inspector on the causes and circumstances of the explosion. I will then consider whether any useful purpose would be served by a formal investigation.
The House, I know, will tender to the relatives of the deceased men their fullest sympathy and express their hopes for the speedy recovery of the injured and also their appreciation of the heroism displayed by all those engaged in the work of rescue and recovery.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSSeeing that we have now had four explosions within the past fortnight, does not the hon. Gentleman think that we are taking more risks in waiting for the absolutely per- 1102 fectly automatic gas alarm than we would be if we applied a compulsory order forthwith?
§ Mr. TURNERI would ask the hon. Member to wait for the Report. The Department are very much concerned at these continued explosions, and every effort is being made by the inspectors and by the Department to arrive at some conclusion that may make mining more safe.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman undertake to guarantee to the House that the utmost expedition will be practised in endeavouring to secure what he calls the further test of the automatic alarm which is now in progress?
§ Mr. TURNERI can assure the hon. Member that no time will be wasted in arranging the further tests which have been under consideration.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the recurrence of these explosions, will the hon. Gentleman state what extra steps have been taken by his Department beyond those taken in normal times?
§ Mr. TURNERI would rather have notice of that question.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the recurring explosions, cannot the hon. Gentleman say that his Department are making special efforts other than would have been made some time ago?
§ Mr. TURNERThe Department are taking very special steps.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWhat are they?
§ Mr. TURNERIn one direction, we are asking owners of collieries to give every assistance possible to the practical improvements of gas detectors, so that thorough practical tests may be made; and we are hoping to have their cooperation, along with the co-operation of those engaged in the trade, to see what useful detectors can be applied.
Miss LEEDoes the hon. Gentleman not think that if inspectors underground were confined to the work of inspection, instead of being called upon frequently to do all sorts of onerous jobs, it would help in maintaining the state of the mines?
§ Mr. TURNERAs far as I am aware, the inspectors are doing inspectors' work, and not extra work as suggested by the hon. Member.
Miss LEEI hope that the Secretary for Mines knows that I mean safety men. If he desires further information, I shall be glad to supply it.
§ Mr. TURNERSafety men are different men from inspectors, but I will look into the point which the hon. Member has made.