HC Deb 13 December 1938 vol 342 cc1804-6
67. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received a report on the experiment made in North Staffordshire, reported on page 12 of No. 5 North-Western Division, 1937, Reports of His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines; what are his Department's observations on the report; and is it intended to apply the methods universally if the experiment is a success?

Captain Crookshank

Yes, Sir. The experiment in dust suppression referred to in the report involves the shrouding of the turret-end of a coal-cutting machine used for overcutting a thick seam, and it has resulted in an appreciable reduction in the amount of dust dissipated. This method has only a limited application and is only one of a variety of methods for the suppression or removal of coal dust to meet different circumstances. The progress of these desirable and important developments is being closely watched and encouraged by my Department.

68. Mr. Smith

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of inspections made on behalf of the workmen in the North Staffordshire area under Section 16 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, during the years 1936, 1937, and 1938, respectively?

Captain Crookshank

The figures are nought, three and nought respectively.

69. Mr. Smith

asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been directed to the 1937 Report by His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, Northwestern Division, in particular to page 13, falls of roof and accidents in North Staffordshire, page 23, accidents, and page 29; and what action has been taken or is contemplated?

Captain Crookshank

The report shows that the accident rates from falls of ground and from the use of explosives are relatively higher in North Staffordshire than in the other coalfields of the Division. The main road to improvement is greater care and effort by all concerned and two additional inspectors have recently been appointed to strengthen the part played by inspection. As regards the three ignitions of firedamp referred to on page 29 of the report, I should point out that none of the three resulted in any personal injury, that all were of an unusual nature, and that no specific precaution likely to eliminate all such occurrences could be devised.

Mr. Smith

In view of the high percentage of falls, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take a personal interest in this matter in order to get it remedied?

Mr. E. J. Williams

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that these falls are caused by the lack of good packing underground, and that if this were remedied, it might be a contribution to the avoidance of subsidence?

Captain Crookshank

That may be so, but one must bear in mind the peculiar natural conditions of this part of the coalfield.