§ 31. Mr. GRUNDYasked the Secretary for Mines if he has any statement to make in respect to the fall of roof at the Birley 819 East pit, Woodhouse, Sheffield, where three men were entombed and fatally injured?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI have been asked to reply. This accident occurred on Thursday afternoon last at the gate end at the extremity of a retreating long-wall face, during operations connected with the movement of a coal cutter from the face to the gate. Rescue operations were commenced at once from both sides and, in spite of danger from further falls, all the four men involved were got out, but I regret to say that one was already dead, and two others died in hospital next day. I hope that further information as to the immediate cause of the roof collapse will be available when the fourth man is sufficiently recovered to describe what was being done at the time. I am sure that the House will wish to join my hon. Friend and myself in expressing sympathy with the relatives and dependants of the deceased.