HC Deb 16 June 1936 vol 313 cc802-4
58. Mr. JAMES GRIFFITHS

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of known abandoned mines in the South Wales coalfield for which no reliable plans of the workings are available; and the number of such mines situate in the inspectorate divisions of Swansea and Cardiff, respectively?

Captain CROOKSHANK

The Catalogue of Plans of Abandoned Mines which is published by my Department shows about 500 old pits or workings in the Cardiff division, and about 900 in the Swansea division for which no plans of workings are available; but there are, no doubt, many others unknown. Most of these mines were abandoned before 1872, when the deposit of plans became compulsory, and many were extremely small.

59. Mr. GRIFFITHS

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will take steps to ensure that, where a coal mine is working in proximity to abandoned workings for which no reliable plans are available, it shall be an obligation upon the manager of such a coal mine to provide for advance bore-holes so as to give some measure of protection to the men employed at the mine?

Captain CROOKSHANK

Protection of this kind against inrushes of water from old workings is already compulsory under Section 68 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911; and as I informed the hon. Member on Thursday last, I am considering what further measures can be taken to relieve the anxiety of the workmen in Pembrokeshire as a result of the flooding accident at Loveston Colliery.

Mr. GRIFFITHS

If this provision, is compulsory, how does the Secretary for Mines account for the fact that twice in the last two years collieries in Pembrokeshire have broken unexpectedly into old abandoned workings, with serious loss of life in one case and a miraculous escape in another?

Captain CROOKSHANK

I would like to have notice of that question, but I dare say there were no reliable plans. The important thing is to see whether we can do something now, and I am glad to say that a meeting has been arranged for next week between His Majesty's inspectors and representatives of the management and workmen in Pembrokeshire to discuss these very points.

Mr. GRIFFITHS

Will the hon. and gallant Member say why the inspectors did not enforce the compulsory measures to those collieries where it was known there were old abandoned workings?

Mr. G. GRIFFITHS

Is it not a fact that if proper bore-holes to the right and left of the workings were provided according to the Mines Act, there would be no incursion of the water?