§ Mr. R. McLARENasked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been called to the Report published by the Chief Inspector of Mines, and can he explain why the death rate per 1,000 persons employed in 1920 was 88 and in 1914 1 08, whereas the amount of mineral produced per death was 217,259 tons and 228,947 tons for 1920 and 1914, respectively; and whether, in the opinion of the Department, the mines are safer now than in 1914?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe explanation of the phenomenon that, while the death rate per person employed has fallen, the death rate per mineral produced has risen is, of course, that the fall in the death rate is not proportionate to the fall in output. As regards the last part of the question, my hon. Friend is aware that it is the constant endeavour of my Department to bring about greater safety in mining, but it is obvious that progress cannot be tested by a comparison of the figures of two isolated years.