Abandoned Workings (Survey) (Hansard, 4 July 1960)

§ 10. Mr. Shinwell
asked the Minister of Power when the last survey of old underground pit workings was undertaken; and whether he is satisfied that there is no longer danger of proximity of old workings where gas exists.

§ Mr. Wood
Before any underground workings are abandoned there is a final survey. The plans of this must be preserved and shown in the plans of any other mine in the vicinity. Abandoned workings are normally inaccessible to further physical survey, but the Mines and Quarries Act, 1954, requires that full precautions against hazard should be taken when any new working approaches them.

§ Mr. Shinwell
I am aware of all that, but the recent accident at the Six Bells Colliery surely indicates that the barriers between one colliery and another have not been adequately surveyed, and as the matter was raised 36 years ago, when I was Secretary of Mines, and has been considered several times since, is it not obvious that there has been inadequacy in the surveys that have been conducted?

§ Mr. Wood
As the right hon. Gentleman is very well aware of the position, I need not go into it in general, but I am informed that there is no reason at all to suspect that the old workings were in any way responsible for the explosion last week. As I undertook to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) and other right hon. Gentlemen opposite, I shall draw the attention of the Chief Inspector very much to this point, and he will have it 9 very much in mind, so as to investigate exactly the matter to which the right hon. Gentleman draws my attention.

§ Mr. Shinwell
Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that he is responsible for safety arrangements? The Coal Board is not necessarily responsible. Although the Board has a certain measure of responsibility, the Minister is primarily responsible for safety matters, and perhaps he might go into the question of the need for another survey.

§ Mr. Wood
I think the regulations are perfectly clear on this, but I shall certainly look into the whole matter, particularly in the light of the tragic events of last week.