HC Deb 24 November 1930 vol 245 cc925-6W
Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary for Mines how many explosions have occurred in coal mines in Great Britain during the last 10 years; how many lives were lost; how many public inquiries were held to ascertain the cause; and in how many cases were pro- ceedings taken against the owners or managers for contravening the law?

Mr. SHINWELL

During the 10 years 1920–29 there were 134 explosions, involving loss of life, the total number of deaths being 389. In respect of 14 of these explosions, in which 206 Lives were lost, public inquiries were held under Section 83 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911. Details of the offences for which prosecutions have been taken under the Act are given in the annual reports of the Secretary for Mines, but I regret that it is not possible, without disproportionate labour, to say which or how many of these charges arose directly or indirectly out of an explosion.