HC Deb 03 July 1934 vol 291 c1737
24. Mr. EDWARDS

asked the Secretary for Mines what is the percentage both of fatal and non-fatal accidents at Bedwas Colliery, Monmouthshire; and how do these percentages compare with those for the South Wales coalfield as a whole?

Mr. E. BROWN

The average for the last five years of the annual fatal accident-rate per 100,000 manshifts worked is 0.9 at Bedwas Colliery, compared with 0.48 for the South Wales coalfield. The corresponding averages for non-fatal accidents are 75.3 and 72.4 respectively.

Mr. EDWARDS

I think those are the figures for the past five years. I am asking for the figures for the last 12 months?

Mr. BROWN

I will give the hon. Member those figures, but the question is in general terms, and the hon. Member knows that in the case of this particular colliery two things have to be taken into account: first, the natural conditions, and, secondly, a question of discipline over recent years.

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Will the hon. Member make further inquiries and find out whether in the last 12 months there has been an increase in the number of fatalities?

Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSON

Can the hon. Member say whether injured men are getting compensation in certain circumstances?

Mr. BROWN

That is another question, which I would rather see on the Order Paper.

Mr. EDWARDS

Will the hon. Member let me have the figures for the last 12 months?