§ 37. Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines if he has received any report concerning the disaster at Fanny Pit, Gateshead; if any plans of previous workings in this area were available; and if he can take further action to ensure safety in areas in which old water-filled workings are believed to exist?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ben Turner)I have received a preliminary report on this accident, in which, 1899 I deeply regret to say, three persons lost their lives. The inrush of water occurred during the working of the Yard Seam in the second north district. A machineman was under-cutting in the coal when the jib of the coal-cutter holed through, and a large quantity of water came away. The coal was being worked to the rise, and the water came down the main haulage road and blocked it at a swelley, or undulation in the road. The deputy in charge of the district collected all the men he could, and they came out safely along a second outlet. A man and two lads, however, were found to be missing, and were afterwards discovered drowned in the swelley.
With regard to the second part of the question, I am having the whole position investigated, but as come question of legal proceedings may arise I cannot at present make any statement.
With regard to the last part of the question, the first requisite in the prevention of danger from underground water is knowledge of the existence and position of old workings. My Department has been devoting much time and attention to the collection of all the available information throughout the country, and this information is being fully catalogued and published in order to make it generally available in the interests of safety. Three large volumes of this catalogue have already been published, and every effort is being made to secure publication of the two remaining volumes in the near future.
While everything possible has been done, with the full co-operation of all concerned, to make these catalogues as complete as possible, there are unfortunately many old working the plans of which, if they ever existed, have disappeared and can now, unhappily, never be replaced.
Colonel BROWNWhat kind of inquiry is being held? Is it a public inquiry, or is it to be an investigation inside the Ministry?
§ Mr. TURNERIn the first place, it will be an investigation inside the Ministry. The question of a public inquiry will arise later on.
§ Mr. BATEYAre we to understand that the Minister, at the moment, does not propose to have an official inquiry into this serious disaster, and has he none of the old plans of this waterlogged area?
§ Mr. TURNERI think the answer which I have already given explains that matter.
§ Mr. BATEYThat is no answer. I asked two simple questions. The first was "Does the Minister not propose to hold an official inquiry into this serious disaster?"; and my second question was, "Has he no plans of this waterlogged area?"
§ Mr. TURNERIf the hon. Member will put down his last question, I will have the matter fully investigated. As regards the investigation, it must be a departmental one.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill a coroner's inquest be held?
§ Mr. TURNERThe inquest has been held.