§ 19. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the present system of mining with deep undercut leaves a large area of the roof without support until the coal is cleared away; whether any record is kept in the books at the mine when falls of roof take place owing to this; and what steps his Department are taking to reduce this risk?
§ Mr. CrossAny system of mining which involves undercutting coal leaves some part of the roof temporarily without support, but I am advised that it is customary to set temporary supports during the process of clearing away the coal, until there is room for permanent supports to be set. The Royal Commission made a number of recommendations with a view to securing greater safety in 1101 this matter; in general these will be adopted but legislation is necessary to give effect to them. No record is at present required to be kept of any falls, and I am advised that it would be quite impracticable to distinguish narrowly enough, for this purpose, between falls from one cause and another. The question of requiring some such record as is recommended by the Royal Commission is under consideration.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsDoes the hon. Member know that where coal is cut under a five-foot seam you cannot put anything up until the coal has been pulled out, and that is the reason why there are such serious falls on a machine-cut face with loss of life?
§ Mr. CrossI will draw the attention of my right hon. and gallant Friend to the hon. Member's observations.