HC Deb 15 October 1940 vol 365 c572
4. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary for Mines whether any report on the Valley-field colliery disaster, which occurred a year ago, has been submitted by the Commissioner; and when it is proposed to publish it?

Mr. Grenfell

The Commissioner's report was published at the end of September as Command Paper No. 6226.

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask whether the Minister intends, arising out of the character of the report, to prosecute the company?

Mr. Grenfell

I do not prosecute, but the report has been sent to the Lord Advocate for investigation of the charges that are made there.

Mr. James Griffiths

Apart from any intended legal action, is the Department loking into the revelations of the Commissioner's report with a view to taking administrative action?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir, there are many defects which have given me concern. I said so when I spoke in the House on the last occasion. I have already taken the trouble of meeting all inspectors of mines and urging them to give attention to defects of the kind set out in that report.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the Minister consider discussing this matter with workmen's inspectors?

Mr. Grenfell

There has been an extension of power to workmen's inspectors. I will require to see how well they are represented under these powers, and, when new appointments are complete, I will consider having a meeting of the workmen's inspectors to discuss this problem and cognate matters.