HC Deb 02 July 1935 vol 303 cc1694-5
25. Mr. COCKS

asked the Secretary for Mines how many examinations by workmen's inspectors were held in the Nottinghamshire coalfields during the past 12 months?

Captain CROOKSHANK

Fifty-nine such inspections were made in Nottinghamshire during the year ended 28th June last.

Mr. T. SMITH

Is the Secretary for Mines satisfied that men have the liberty of action in this coalfield to carry out Section 16; and is he aware that in many collieries they are afraid to work Section 16 because they are afraid of victimisation?

Captain CROOKSHANK

There is a further question on the paper on this subject.

26. Mr. COCKS

asked the Secretary for Mines how many workmen's inspectors have been appointed by ballot in the Notts collieries during the past 12 months, and at what pits they have been appointed?

Captain CROOKSHANK

Workmen's inspectors are not required to be appointed by ballot, nor are the appointments required to be reported to the divisional inspector. In these circumstances I regret that I am unable to give the information asked for.

27. Mr. COCKS

asked the Secretary for Mines in what collieries in Nottinghamshire there were workmen's inspections during the past 12 months; and in what collieries there were no such inspections?

Captain CROOKSHANK

During the 12 months ended 28th June the number of mines in Nottinghamshire at which in- spections were made by workmen's inspectors was 22. There were 24 other mines at work in the county in which no such inspections were made. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those inspected.

Mr. COCKS

Is it not the fact that the accident rate in this coalfield has been the highest in the country, and will the Minister make inquiries to see that nothing is done by the owners by what amounts to intimidation to prevent inspections taking place?

Captain CROOKSHANK

I am not aware of any such case.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the Minister make inquiries as to whether intimidation is the deciding factor for or against the appointment of inspectors?

Mr. PALING

Is not the number of inspections ridiculously small for this coalfield, and, if so, is it not likely that there is some reason for that situation?

Captain CROOKSHANK

If the hon. Gentleman has any representations that he wishes to make to me, I shall be happy to receive them.

Mr. PALING

They have been made often enough.

Following are the names:

The following are the names of the collieries in Nottinghamshire at which inspections were made by workmen's inspectors during the year ended 28th June, 1935:

Watnall, Brinsley, Selston, Moorgreen, Thoresby, Rufford, Mansfield, Clipstone, Kirkby, Radford, Bulwell, Bestwood, Welbeck, Gedling, Bilsthorpe, Silverhill, Blidworth, Hucknall No. 2, New London, Wollaton, Sherwood, Newstead.