HC Deb 17 June 1941 vol 372 cc458-9
6. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any statement to make on the fatal accident at the Lindsay Pit, Kelty?

Mr. Grenfell

I regret to say that five men—three of whom lost their lives—were buried by a large fall of top coal in a 10-feet seam known as the Lochgelly Splint Seam. The face, which was only started about a fortnight before the accident occurred, was supported by props, bars and wooden pillars—a system which had worked satisfactorily in two neighbouring faces in the same seam; but that system having proved inadequate in certain special conditions which arose on the new face, it must be strengthened, and that is being done. The House will join with me in expressing our sympathy with the families and friends of the men who were killed.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that in spite of all that has been said and all the efforts that have been made to provide safety, fatalities are occurring with terrible regularity in the mines, and will he not, in order to take the necessary fundamental steps to get greater safety, forthwith take the mines out of the hands of the profit-making mine-owners?

Mr. Speaker

That has nothing at all to do with this Question.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply, I wish to give notice that I intend to raise the matter at the earliest possible moment.