HC Deb 13 May 1924 vol 173 cc1165-6W
Mr. SPENCE

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that there is only one winding engineman engaged winding on night duty at the Fleets coal pits Nos. 1 and 2, at Tranent, East Lothian; that the pits stand apart approximately 300 yards; that a man is engaged at the pumps in the Diamond coal seam, No. 2 pit, from which there is no outlet except at a point equal to 18 fathoms higher up the shaft; and, as the engineman in the performance of his duty has to go periodically from one pit to another, and is, therefore, not in a position to ensure the safety of the men employed in either of of the mines, will he inquire into the matter and compel the company to conform to the terms of the Coal Mines Acts?

Mr. SHINWELL

I have inquired into this matter and find that the winding engineman on night duty for these two shafts, which are 132 yards apart, remains at the No. 2 shaft from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., the whole time that the pumpman, who has no other way of egress, is below ground. All the other persons employed below ground in the mine have easy access to this shaft, and are aware that it is the winding shaft for them between the hours specified. I am advised that these arrangements are not in contravention of the Coal Mines Act.