Mr. Jenkinsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the total number of fatal accidents in the mines of this country during the months of January to October, inclusive, for the years 1937 and 1938?
§ Captain CrookshankThe total number of persons killed by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain this year up to the 22nd October, the latest date to which such particulars are available, was 697. The figure for the corresponding period last year was 673.
Mr. Jenkinsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of fatal accidents in the mines of this country to persons under 21 years during the months January to October, inclusive, for the years 1937 and 1938?
§ Captain CrookshankThe number of persons under 21 years of age killed by accidents at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain this year up to the 22nd October, the latest date to which such particulars are available, was 59. The figure for the corresponding period of 1937 was 79.
§ Mr. Watsonasked the Secretary for Mines whether any steps have been taken to centralise the colliery accident funds detailed in the White Paper issued in 1936 (Cmd. 5167); and, if not, whether he is now prepared to institute an inquiry into the feasibility of having these funds centralised and the steps that would require to be taken to achieve that object?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir. As was explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. R. Davies) on 9th March last, there are a number of difficulties which render impracticable the suggestion to centralise relief funds connected with industrial and other disasters.