§ 2.54 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, with permission I should like to ask a Question of which I have given private notice: I wish to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make on the explosion last night at Kames Colliery, Muirkirk, Ayrshire.
§ THE MINISTER OF POWER (LORD MILLS)My Lords, your Lordships will have learned of the tragic explosion which took place last night at Karnes Colliery, Muirkirk. Ayrshire, in which, I regret to say, seventeen men lost their lives and others were injured. There were some 200 men working in the pit at the time. Her Majesty The Queen has expressed her deep concern at this accident and has graciously sent a message of sympathy to the bereaved and to those injured. I am sure your Lordships will wish to join with me and my colleagues in expressing deepest sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives, and with those who were injured. Her Majesty's inspectors of mines are investigating the circumstances of the explosion, and I have directed the chief inspector to hold a public inquiry.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, we are very much obliged for the statement made by the Minister on this sad and tragic occurrence. We should, I am sure, in all parts of the House, like fully to be associated with the expression of sympathy which is being sent to the bereaved relatives. In the last few years I think we have from time to time sat back a little and congratulated ourselves on the fact that explosions of this kind were not quite so frequent as they used to be, and we welcome any improvements there are. I do not know whether the Minister yet has any idea of the cause of the explosion, but no doubt when he receives the report of the inquiry he will see his way to let your Lordships' House have a summary of it, even if it is not possible to publish the report in detail.
§ LORD MILLSMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount for associating himself and all of us with the expression of sympathy. The noble Viscount will appreciate that it is too early yet for me to say anything about the cause of the accident, but I shall see that your Lordships' House is acquainted with the facts about it at the earliest possible opportunity.