§ 24. Mr. T. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines the number of fatal and serious 773 accidents, respectively, during the six months ended 30th June; and the various causes of the accidents.
§ The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell)As the Answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. SmithCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the figures show an increase or a decrease over last year?
§ Mr. GrenfellThere is a decrease of one in fatal accidents and a decrease of nearly 200 in serious accidents.
§ Following is the statement:
| Number of persons killed and seriously injured* by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in the 26 weeks ended 28th June, 1941. | ||
| Place or Cause. | Number of Persons. | |
| Killed. | Seriously Injured.* | |
| Falls of Ground:— | ||
| (a) At the face | 241 | 614 |
| (b) On the roads | 32 | 71 |
| Haulage and Transport | 97 | 363 |
| Gases, Coal Dust and Fires:— | ||
| (a) Explosions. | 28 | 51 |
| (b) Others | 8 | 5 |
| Machinery | 3 | 25 |
| Others, Underground | 25 | 178 |
| Surface | 42 | 163 |
| Total | 476 | 1,470 |
| *Injuries which, because of their nature or severity are, under the terms of Section 80 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, required to be reported to His Majesty's Divisional Inspectors at the time of their occurrence. |