§ Mr. H. Hynd(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Power whether he would make a statement on the explosion which occurred at Hapton Colliery yesterday.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Wood)There was an explosion at the Hapton Valley Mine, near Burnley, at a quarter to ten yesterday morning. My latest information is that 16 men were killed and 37 injured.
Investigations are now taking place and I have meanwhile decided that a public inquiry should be held under Section 122 of the Mines and Quarries Act, 1954.
I should like to express my deep sympathy for the relatives and friends of the men who were killed or injured and my hope that the injured men will quickly recover.
§ Mr. HyndI thank the Minister for his statement and expressions of sympathy, with which, I am sure, all my right hon. and hon. Friends will wish to be associated. I am glad to hear that a special inquiry will be held. Will the right hon. Gentleman do all he can to ensure that the causes of this accident are fully investigated, to try to avoid such tragedies in this dangerous occupation?
§ Mr. GunterMay I associate the Opposition Front Bench with the Minister's expressions of sympathy?
I should like to pay tribute to the almost incredible heroism revealed at such moments as this by the men who search for the dead and for the injured. I always find that words are a very poor vehicle to convey our feelings when tragedies like this happen, but they have very real poignancy for those of us who were born in mining communities. I am happy to know that the Minister is to order the fullest inquiry to be made. If there are any lessons to be learned from it, I hope that we shall learn them very quickly indeed.
§ Mr. WoodI was pleased to hear what the hon. Gentleman said about the rescue workers, because it is something with which I entirely agree.