§ 67. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents in the coal mines of Great Britain during 1931 where coal cutting and conveyors are driven by electricity, compared with those where compressed air is used?
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTI have not sufficient information to enable me to give comparative figures for all classes of accidents, but I expect the hon. Member has in mind, more particularly, the risk of explosion. In 1931 one explosion causing injury was due to the employment of coal cutters or conveyors driven by electricity; and none was caused by compressed air machines. One other explosion, that at Newdigate Colliery, may be in question, but the report of the public inquiry has not yet been published.