§ Mr. I. Davies (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement about the accident at Brynlliw Colliery, Gorseinon, Glamorgan on Friday, 10th May, resulting in the loss of four lives.
§ The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Wood)Inquiries are now being made into the cause of this accident.
I would like to take this opportunity of sending my sympathy to the families and friends of the men who were killed.
§ Mr. DaviesI thank the Minister for his statement, and I am sure that my right hon. and hon. Friends and indeed the whole House will endorse his expression of sympathy with the relatives of the men who made this supreme sacrifice. Perhaps the House and the whole country could pause today to appreciate that the cost of gaining coal must be measured 952 not only in pounds shillings and pence, but also in life and limb.
The Minister will recall that he recently paid a visit to the colliery, on which I had the pleasure of accompanying him, and he will appreciate that the men who made the sacrifice were part of a team which, in this National Productivity Year, is breaking all records at the Brynlliw Colliery.
These men are also part of a team which is in the vanguard of the new spirit of industrial relations which I am glad to know is permeating the organisation of the National Coal Board. But despite the importance of productivity and industrial relations, I would point out that safety is still a matter of high priority and that the price of safety is eternal vigilance.
I should like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the members of the rescue teams, including the general manager, the Durham miners who have been transferred to the pit and the South Wales miners as well, who, together, have written a new chapter in the history of pit rescue in this great industry.