HC Deb 29 June 1933 vol 279 cc1655-6
41. Mr. TOM SMITH

asked the Secretary for Mines how many public inquiries were held by his Department during 1930, 1931 and 1932 into the loss of life due to explosions; and how many prosecutions were instituted as a result of the inquiries?

Mr. E. BROWN

During the years 1930, 1931 and 1932, 11 public inquiries were held, under Section 83 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, into the causes of colliery explosions. Such inquiries are held, as the Act directs, for the purpose of determining the cause and attendant circumstances of the explosion. Any necessary investigations as to alleged offences against the Act are made by His Majesty's inspectors, whether a public inquiry is instituted or not, and in respect of one of the explosions which was the subject of a public inquiry, legal proceedings were taken against the colliery management.

Mr. PIKE

Does the Minister not consider that it would be much better to prevent explosions than to waste time inquiring into the causes?

Mr. BROWN

The primary purpose of the inquiry is to establish, if possible, the cause, in order that prevention may take place, and often that has happened.