§ 3. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, owing to the increase of coal-cutting machines, accidents to workmen are becoming more prevalent; and will he instruct His Majesty's inspectors to make a special report on this aspect of coal-mining to see if some way can be found to reduce the number of accidents?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)The development of mechanised methods of coal-mining has introduced certain risks not associated with hand-getting methods: and it is largely for this reason that the Royal Commission on Safety was appointed. His Majesty's inspectors have, of course, already given very full evidence before it.
§ Mr. TinkerIs the Minister aware that recently there have been several fatal accidents where men have been drawn into the machines? Does he not think that some steps ought to be taken to prevent that sort of thing?
§ Captain CrookshankI think I have answered the general question in the answer that I have given.
§ Mr. T. SmithWill the Minister consider the classification of separate statistics of accidents due to machinery?
§ Captain CrookshankThat is a little distant beyond the question on the Order Paper. Actually, we are doing that this year.
§ Mr. Gordon MacdonaldIs it not possible to expedite the report which will deal with this kind of case?
§ Captain CrookshankThat is for the Royal Commission and not for me.
§ Mr. MacdonaldIn view of the importance of this question, cannot the hon. and gallant Member give the Royal Commission a hint that an early issue would be welcomed by him?