§ 22. Mr. McKEAGasked the Secretary for Mines how many accidents have occurred to onsetters, and men and boys assisting them, during the five years up to the last convenient date, stating in how many instances such accidents have proved fatal and in how many cases have the injuries in such accidents been caused by falls down the pit shafts?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I regret that I cannot give the total number of accidents from all causes to onsetters and their assistants. I am able to say, however, that the number of such persons killed as a result of accidents in shafts during the five years ended 31st December, 1933, was 44, and the number seriously injured 56. Eighteen of these accidents (14 fatal) resulted from persons falling down shafts and 15 (seven fatal) from things falling down shafts.
§ Mr. McKEAGWill the hon. Gentleman consider whether anything more can be done still further to reduce the number of these distressing accidents?