§ 65. Mr. David Grenfellasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will authorise the collection of the fullest possible information at mines where more than three cases of silicosis have been certified, showing the names and addresses of men who, in the last 20 years, have been engaged in boring with the use of machines either in hard headings or in ripping, with the type of machines used and the yardage of hard headings driven; and whether he would extend an invitation to the workmen's representatives at these mines to collaborate in supplying further information regarding the effect of such employment upon the persons so employed in order that a complete record of the extent of disability ensuing upon this class of work should be ascertained?
§ Captain CrookshankI am in full sympathy with the general object in view, but I do not think an investigation on the lines proposed could prove sufficient or satisfactory. There are, for example, a good many cases of silicosis among coal miners who have never used machine drills and, moreover, the nature and extent of disability in a particular case could not be reliably determined without medical examination. The investigation of these problems on different lines and the co-operation of His Majesty's inspectors and the workers' representatives in those investigations will be the subject of reply to a later question to-day to be given by my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
§ Mr. GrenfellIs not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that not a single case of a workman who has to work for a considerable time on boring machines ever survives, and is not that sufficient case for an inquiry into that special kind of work?
§ Captain CrookshankPerhaps the hon. Member will await the reply which is to be given later.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIs it not a fact that the highest incidence of silicosis in mines is among anthracite miners, according to the figures which the Minister has given, 1952 and that boring in anthracite mines is in excess of that of any other district? Does not that prove the contention?
§ Mr. GrenfellWill not the hon. and gallant Gentleman accept the suggestion which I made for consultation with the workmen, who have a great deal of local knowledge in this matter which may prove useful?
§ Captain CrookshankI can only say that a similar question has been put down to the Chancellor of the Duchy who will reply to that point.