HC Deb 15 July 1942 vol 381 cc1224-5
44. Mr. George Griffiths

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of fatal accidents, the number of persons killed and the number injured, in mines for the six months ended 30th June, 1942?

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Fuel and Power (Mr. T. Smith)

During the period 1st January to 27th June, 1942, there were 389 fatal accidents, causing the death of 479 persons. The total number of persons injured is not available, but 1,370 persons were reported to be seriously injured.

Mr. Griffiths

Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House whether the fatal accidents at the coal face from falls of ground show an increase or a decrease, and whether the figures for the six months show an increase on the first six months of last year?

Nature of Accidents. No. of Persons Killed. No. of Persons Seriously Injured.
Reported during week.* TOTALS. Reported during week. TOTALS.
From beginning of year. Corresponding period of previous year. From beginning of year. Corresponding period of previous year.
Mines under Coal Mines Acts:
Falls of Ground:
(a) At the face 10 185 243 29 528 608
(b) On the roads 1 24 33 2 84 80
Haulage and Transport 7 90 100 13 326 354
Gases, Coal Dust and Fires:
(a) Explosions 13 95 24 3 65 47
(b) Others — 3 8 — 2 3
Machinery — 6 3 — 29 26
Other Underground Accidents — 38 24 7 193 189
Surface Accidents 2 38 46 6 143 162
Total 33 479 481 60 1,370 1,469
Metalliferous Mines — 10 6 1 11 18
Quarries 1 22 34 3 73 69
*Including deaths previously reported as non-fatal.