Mrs. WARD(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines if he is in a position to report upon the grave disaster which occurred at the West Cannock No. 5 Colliery, Hednesford, on Tuesday, 16th May; if he will state how many lives have been lost, and how many men injured, and if he will institute immediate enquiries into the cause of this terrible disaster?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I regret having to inform the House that an explosion, which occurred yesterday morning in the Shallow Seam of No. 5 Pit, West Cannock Colliery, near Hednesford, resulted in the death of three men and serious injuries to three others. Two more were less seriously burned and 13 358 were gassed. Inquires were immediately instituted by the divisional inspector, and the site of the explosion has already been located, but the cause has not yet been ascertained. When I have received the inspector's written report I will consider whether any further investigation can usefully be made.
The House will, I am sure, wish to join me in expressing deep sympathy with the injured and with the relatives of those who have been killed in this accident, and in that which unfortunately occurred at Hamstead Colliery, near Birmingham, on Monday, when four men were killed together by a fall of roof.