HC Deb 17 May 1938 vol 336 cc199-200
11. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Secretary for Mines at how many of the pits where explosions have occurred since 1930 was the strip method of packing adopted, and at how many was the method of complete tight-packing adopted?

The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)

So far as information is available, it indicates that at 48 of the 91 collieries at which explosions involving loss of life occurred between the beginning of 1930 and the end of 1937, and in the district of the mine involved in the explosion, either strip packs were used or the wastes were not packed. Solid packing was practised in two of the districts involved. A number of the explosions occurred in bord and pillar workings or narrow places, where the question of packing did not arise.

Mr. Griffiths

In view of the figures which have been given, have any recommendations been made to impose tight packs upon those collieries where explosions have occurred?

12. Mr. Griffiths

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of explosions that have occurred in the coal mines of the country from 1930 to date; and at how many of the pits where these explosions occurred electrically driven coal-cutting and/or coal-conveying machines were in use; and at how many of these pits such machinery was operated by compressed air?

Captain Crookshank

Between the beginning of 1930 and the end of 1937, 91 explosions involving loss of life occurred. Of these, 45 took place at mines in which all the coal-cutting or conveying machinery was electrically driven, 15 at mines in which all such machinery was driven by compressed air, 12 at mines in which both electricity and compressed air were used for the purpose, and 19 at mines in which neither was used. In many instances where coal-cutting or conveying machinery was installed at the mine, there was none at the place where the explosion occurred, and in a number of other instances where such machinery was installed at that place it was not in use at the time of the explosion.

Mr. Griffiths

Do the figures reveal that, since there has been a general adoption of electrically-driven cutters in this country, the number of explosions and ignitions has been increasing?

Captain Crookshank

I shall have to refresh my memory from the statistics before I can answer that.

Mr. Kirkwood

Will the Minister, when appointing inspectors, consider the advisability, with so much mechanisation going on in the mines, of appointing individuals with practical engineering experience?

Mr. Griffiths

Is the Minister aware that the number of explosions from 1930 to date in this country compare unfavourably with those in every other mining country in the world, and has the time not come to take some fundamental action?

Captain Crookshank

The hon. Member raises a much bigger question than that on the Paper.

Mr. Kirkwood

May I have an answer to my question?