§ 41. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of accidents in and around coal mines for the years 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1942, respectively; how many were fatal; and the percentage of all accidents to the total employed for each year?
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)In view of the number of figures involved, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, have them circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. DaviesIs there an increase or a decrease in the percentage of accidents of all kinds?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI have not yet the figures of accidents for this year. A3 far as fatal casualties are concerned, there is a decrease by comparison with the year before, but I am afraid that I have not the figures for 1942 of the total accidents.
§ The information is as follows:
§ 81. Mr. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Fuel and Power, whether, in view of the continued unsatisfactory coal production, he has considered using subterranean gasification of coal?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI have seen various reports on the work carried out in Russia on the underground gasification of coal, but the information available is not sufficiently complete to enable me to decide whether this process could, with advantage, be adopted in this country. I am accordingly making inquiries through the Soviet representatives in this country who have kindly arranged to communicate with their Government.