§ Mr. PALING(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give any information to the House about the explosion at Hoyland Silkstone Colliery on Monday, 1st July.
The SECRETARY for MINES (Captain Crookshank)Hoyland Silkstone Colliery is an abandoned mine from which no coal has been drawn since 1928. One of
§ cases, a prescribed scale of wholesale prices, makes it impracticable to determine the precise amount of State assist ante in every case. In only one of the more important producing countries, Holland, is part of such assistance rendered by a direct subsidy. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement containing all the information which I have been able to obtain on the subject. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the information given in the table on page 68 of the Report of the United Kingdom Sugar Industry Inquiry Committee (Cmd. 4871).
§ Following is the statement:
§ the three shafts, which had been stopped off from the other two, is used as a man-riding shaft for Rockingham Colliery. It had been decided to fill up the two disused shafts, and the filling of one of them was in progress on the day of the explosion, which occurred, however, during the suspension of work for the lunch hour. It was at the other disused shaft that the explosion took place. At noon on 1st July, three workmen were taking their lunch in a fitters' cabin close by. 1867 Shortly after noon flames were observed at the top of the shaft, and though the three men escaped from the cabin they were badly burned, and in spite of immediate treatment I greatly regret that they have since died in hospital from their injuries. Investigations into the cause of the explosion were commenced immediately by the Divisional Inspector of Mines and are still proceeding. The House will, I am sure, wish to join with me in conveying an expression of deep sympathy to the dependants and relatives of the deceased.