§ 2. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has given consideration to the report on the causes and circumstances of the Holditch, North Staffordshire, explosion; and what steps are being taken to carry out the recommendations made in the report by the Chief Inspector of Mines?
§ Captain CrookshankYes, Sir. The three recommendations in regard to the danger of the ignition of firedamp by the sparking or heating sometimes produced by coalcutter picks are being dealt with as follow:
§ (1) The suggestion for further investigation into cutting conditions is being referred to the Safety in Mines Research Board.
§ (2) Further tests of the use of carbon dioxide to prevent ignitions will be made by the board and I am informed that a coalcutter modified for the purpose of such tests has now been obtained.
§ (3) The recommendation that some means of dealing with fires should be carried on coalcutting machines has been covered in draft general regulations which will be published in the course of the next few days.
§ Mr. BateyHow many more of these terrible explosions are there to be before the Government take action in bringing forward new safety legislation?
§ Captain CrookshankThe hon. Gentleman knows that, as regards safety legislation, we are awaiting the report of the Royal Commission set up to advise on this very point.
§ Mr. BateyIs it not time that the Minister spoke in very strong language to the Commission, and told them it was time they were getting a move on? Let us have the report.
§ Mr. James GriffithsIs it not a fact that all the explosions of recent years have taken place where machinery was driven electrically and does not the Minister think the time has come for a drastic revision of the regulations governing the use of electricity in coal mines?
§ Captain CrookshankThose are all questions separate from that on the Paper. If the hon. Member wants a considered reply, perhaps he will put that question on the Paper.
§ Mr. E. SmithWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman give an undertaking that he will expedite the publication of the report and the proceedings, and does not he agree that this is only part of the whole problem?
§ Captain CrookshankThat question, again, is wide of the question on the Paper, but the evidence has been published, and as far as the report is concerned, that is a matter for the Royal Commission.
§ Captain CrookshankI thought I had already made that clear. I am in the hands of the Royal Commission, which is now considering its report. I cannot say more than that.