§ 40. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to make any statement on the 262 recent explosions at Bowhill Colliery, Scotland, and the Rising Sun Colliery, Wallsend?
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTI am sure that the House will join with me in taking this first opportunity of expressing our sympathy with the relatives of those who have been killed and our hope for the speedy recovery of those injured. The detailed inquiries by His Majesty's inspectors in regard to these two explosions are still proceeding and the fullest possible information will be made public at the fatal accident inquiry and inquest. In these circumstances, it would be premature for me to make any detailed statement now.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that almost every inquiry following an explosion for several years past has resulted in the discovery that there was an accumulation of gas which caused the explosion, and will he take note of that in his deliberations?
§ Mr. C. MILNEWill the Minister say whether he proposes to make any formal investigation under the Act?
§ Mr. FOOTI think the facts in relation to both these lamentable accidents will be sufficiently made clear in the course of the fatal accident inquiry and the inquests, but, if when those facts are placed before the Department a further investigation should be needed, we shall take action accordingly.