§ 24. Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary for Mines if he is in a position to make a further statement regarding the pit accident at Cardowan Colliery, Stepps, Lanarkshire?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I very much regret to have to inform the House that, of the 10 men previously reported as injured in the recent explosion at Cardowan Colliery, seven have since succumbed to their injuries, making a total death roll of 11. Two of the remaining three are still in hospital. The investigation by the Divivisional Inspector of Mines is not yet complete. I am glad to say that, as it is possible that the explosion was the 226 result of an ignition of gas caused by shotfiring, the owners of the colliery have decided to discontinue shotfiring in the coal of the main seam for the present, and to examine the possibilities of adopting other means of getting down the coal.
§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWill my hon. Friend consider holding an inquiry into the causes of this disaster?
§ Mr. BROWNMy hon. Friend will realise that I cannot come to a decision on that point until the official report has been received, possibly not until the fatal accident inquiry has concluded.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman have inquiries made particularly to ascertain how many shots are permitted to be fired by one fireman during one shift of eight hours?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThis is a Scottish question, and I should like to ask the Secretary for Mines whether the Government are making any provision for the dependants of the men who have been killed?