§ 80. Mr. de ROTHSCHILDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the present regulations governing the inspection of mines in the Gold Coast; whether these regulations have been made more stringent since the accident which occurred in the Prestea mine in 1934; and whether, in accordance with the recommendations of the Acting Secretary for Mines, Gold Coast, contained in the official report on the accident, mine ropes are now examined fortnightly and cages designed in such a way that objects falling on the roof should be deflected to the foot wall of the shaft?
§ Mr. ORMSBY - GORENumerous regulations have been made from time to time under the Mining Rights 1965 Ordinance of the Gold Coast Colony, and I shall be glad to make arrangements for the hon. Member to examine these regulations if he wishes. Since the accident in the Prestea mine the regulations have been amended so as to provide that mine ropes shall be examined once a fortnight. A further amendment provides that the manager of the mine shall take such steps as may be necessary, including the appointment of a competent person to see that the maximum number of persons allowed to ride at any one time in a cage or other conveyance is not exceeded. The official report on the accident at Prestea shows that the recommendation of the Acting Secretary for Mines regarding the design of the cage to which the accident occured has already been carried out.
§ Mr. PALINGIf the regulations indicated in the question have not been in operation, has there not been some neglect somewhere?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe hon. Member no doubt knows that in the Gold Coast the mines are not very like those in this country, and that there are only two where there is deep working down a shaft. I remember going to one, and although the arrangements were not as perfect as in the coal mines in this country, they were considered adequate at the time. The recent development of mining in the Gold Coast has led to deeper working, and the regulations have been tightened up.