§ Miss Herbison (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Power whether he will make a statement on the explosion at Cardowan Colliery, Steppes, which occurred yesterday.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Wood)An underground part of Cardowan Colliery had been sealed off because of a fire in January, and the accident took place yesterday when it was being reopened.
Three men were killed and seven suffered burns as the result of an explosion. Her Majesty's inspectors are investigating the circumstances of the accident, and I have directed Mr. H. R. Houston, Her Majesty's Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines, to make a special report on the accident under Section 121 of the Mines and Quarries Act, 1954.
I am sure that the House will join me in sending deep sympathy to the families and friends of the men who were killed; and hope for the quick recovery of those who were injured.
§ Miss HerbisonI thank the Minister for that statement and associate my right hon. and hon. Friends with his expression of sympathy for the families of the bereaved and the injured. I am sure that he recognises that there is great sorrow in this area, because it was only last October that, about three miles away, 47 lives were lost in another pit explosion.