§ 16. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, owing to the introduction of coal-cutting machinery, the length of coal face between gateways has increased and where there is a. weighting of the roof there is added danger to the workmen owing to the greater distance they have to travel to a place of safety, i.e., the gateways; and whether he will consider fixing a maximum distance between openings or gateways?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe use of coal-cutting machinery does not involve any extension of the distance between gateways, and I assume that what the hon. Member 178 has in mind is the use of face-conveyors. I am advised that the reduction in the number of gateways made possible by the introduction of such conveyors tends, on the whole, to ensure greater safety from falls of ground. Reference to the statistics in the Divisional Inspectors' Reports for the past few years will show that a large proportion of the accidents front falls of roof at the face occur at and about gate-ends. The possibility of such a fall of roof between the gateways as would cut off the escape of men working in a longwall face is, on the other hand, remote. In the circumstances, the answer to the last part of the question is "No."
§ Mr. TINKERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases now the distance between gateways is 100 yards; and that, should anything happen, such a distance makes it almost impossible for men to get to safety?
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the distance is sometimes more than 100 yards, and is he quite sure that the distances are being shortened? I should be very much surprised to hear it.
§ Mr. BROWNIf the hon. Member will read the statement I have made, he will find that everything there is precisely as the inspectors' reports show. With regard to the other point, I assure the hon. Member that these points, and all points arising out of the change-over to machinery, are being closely watched from day to day.
§ Mr. T. SMITHIs the Secretary for Mines aware that a good deal of the controversy with regard to overtime is due to the fact that in some pits the distances are too long?
§ Mr. BROWNIn some cases mistakes were made in the early days of the new system, but improvements have been and are taking place.
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSIs it not a fact that the reason why there is such a long distance between these gateways is that it makes it cheaper for the coal-owner?
§ Mr. BROWNI could not make any general observation on that matter, because the circumstances vary from day to day.