§ 53. Mr. R. J. TAYLORasked the Secretary for Mines whether reports of accidents and fatalities to boys in the Northumberland coalfield are made to the Mines Department; and whether he can extract from these reports the accidents and fatalities which occurred in the respective shifts?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes," but the wide variations in the hours at which the shifts begin at the different collieries render it impossible to classify these accidents satisfactorily as 800 between the morning, afternoon and night shifts. I shall, however, be glad to have a statement prepared dividing the accidents into four groups each covering six hours of the 24, if that would serve the hon. Member's purposes.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs the Minister aware that, as far as Northumberland and Durham are concerned, the shifts are practically in watertight compartments, and, therefore, there should be no difficulty in getting all the accidents in the completed shifts? Can I have his assurance that he will endeavour to let us have them either in the completed shifts or in the six-hours as he suggested?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI suggested what seems to be the most practical way of doing it. If that does not meet the hon. Member's view, perhaps he will have a word with me about it. I am prepared to do what I have suggested.