33. Mr. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the accident rate in the Marampa mines for the period 1938–1942, as compared with the years 1933–1937.
§ Colonel StanleyI am asking the Governor of Sierra Leone for the figures and will communicate with my hon. Friend.
Mr. FraserIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that these figures have increased in recent years?
§ Colonel StanleyUntil I get them, I am not aware of that.
34. Mr. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provisions exist under the Concessions Ordinance, 1931, in Sierra Leone for the regulation of the conduct of mining operations in the Marampa mines; and whether the inspection of machinery introduced last year is being operated.
§ Colonel StanleyNo provisions exist at present under the Concessions Ordinance for the regulation of mining operations at Marampa, but steps are being taken to amend the Ordinance for the reasons given in reply to a Question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight on the 20th October last. As regards the second part of the Question the provisions of the Machinery (Safe Working and Inspection) Ordinance apply to that part of the mining process at Marampa in which machinery is employed. Rules under this Ordinance were published on 1st July, 1943, and have been in operation since that date.