§ Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures were taken to compensate the relatives of those Africans who lost their lives in the winding accident in the Gold Coast Colony last June; and what was the proportion of compensation, if any, allotted to each family of the deceased Africans?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am informed that the mine management is paying £12 compensation to each bereaved family. Thirty-five payments have already been made. The remaining six families have not yet been traced.
§ Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, following upon the mining accident in the Gold Coast Colony in June last, when a considerable number of Africans lost their lives, it is proposed to introduce any legislation in the Gold Coast Colony providing for workmen's compensation?
Sir P. CUNLIFE-LISTERThe question of the enactment of workmen's1978W compensation legislation in the Gold Coast and other African Colonies had been under active consideration for a considerable time before the regrettable accident to which the hon. Member refers. A draft model Ordinance was prepared embodying the essential features of the United Kingdom Workmen's Compensation Act, but in a simplified form, designed to secure substantial justice for a workman injured in the course of his employment without excessive regard for complicated technicalities of procedure. This model Ordinance was communicated to the Governments of the African Colonies, and Bills based on the model have been prepared by a number of those Governments, including the Government of the Gold Coast. These Bills departed from the model in various respects, and it was realised that it was very desirable to secure uniformity in this legislation in order to enable rates of premium to be quoted by the accident offices for a standard form of policy to cover their risks. It was accordingly decided to defer further consideration of the Bills which had been submitted until the observations of all the Colonial Governments concerned had been received, in order that a revised model Ordinance might be prepared which would be capable of enactment without substantial modification in the various Colonies. These comments have now been received, and the preparation of the revised model Ordinance is being actively pursued. I hope to be in a position to communicate it to the Colonial Governments concerned early in the new year.
§ Mr. MALLALIEUasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many African miners lost their lives in the winding accident which occurred in the Gold Coast Colony in June last; whether an inquiry has been or will be held into the cause of the accident; and whether any steps are possible to prevent a recurrence of such accidents?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERForty-one African lives were lost in the accident an inquiry into the cause of the accident is at present being held, but it has been prolonged owing to the necessity of sending the rope, used in hauling the cage, to this country for expert examination. The Governor reports that the design of the cage has been altered with a view to preventing a recurrence of such acci- 1979W dents, and that further preventive measures will be considered when the cause of the accident is definitely established.