§ 42. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will inquire into a report submitted by workmen's inspectors, on 3rd March, into unsafe conditions in the Culross five-foot section of Valley field Colliery; whether he is aware that, following the recent accident at this colliery in which 35 lives were lost, the workmen concerned are very perturbed at the inrush of water from old workings and its effect on their safety; and will he take the necessary steps to have their apprehension removed?
§ Mr. LloydThe report of the workmen's inspectors was received by the Divisional Inspector of Mines on 8th March, and an inspection by one of his staff was made at the colliery the same 997 day. A bore hole driven as a precaution in advance of the present working recently tapped water in an old waste. The quantity of water flowing is small, the necessary precautions are being taken to deal with the situation, and the divisional inspector is satisfied that there is no cause for apprehension.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister aware of the valuable work which these workmen inspectors are doing, and will he see that they have every assistance in keeping pits as safe as possible?
§ Mr. LloydCertainly, Sir. The result of their report was that the divisional inspector of mines made arrangements for a special inspection by one of his staff the same day.
Mr. GibsonWere the working plans of this mine reliable, and, if so, how did this inrush of water take place?
§ Mr. LloydIf the hon. and learned Gentleman wishes to go into that detail, he had better put a Question down.
§ 43. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will inquire into a report submitted by workmen's inspectors, on 9th February, regarding unsafe conditions at the Aitken pit of the Fife Coal Company, in the Glassel section of which a coal-cutting machine went through into the old workings with the result that the section was damped out and the conveyor face flooded; whether he is aware that no bore was carried out at this place to avoid the danger, although failure to do this, in accordance with the Coal Mines Act, might have had fatal consequences; and will he take immediate action in this matter?
§ Mr. LloydI am informed that the water which caused the closing down of the conveyor face for three days did not result from cutting through into the old waste, but from failure of pumps elsewhere which did not involve any danger. The holding into the old workings was fully investigated by His Majesty's Inspectors within a few days of their receiving the report of the workmen's inspectors. The reports and correspondence are now under consideration by the Chief Inspector of Mines.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the Minister see to it that, when a report of this character is submitted and His Majesty's Inspector 998 goes to the mine, he takes the workmen's inspectors with him?