§ Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary for Mines the rate per 1,000 at which boys under 16 employed below ground in mines were killed and injured during the last three years; whether he contemplates the general adoption of a systematic training scheme for these boys, as recommended by the divisional reports of the mines inspectors during the past few years; and whether it is proposed to amend the present Regulations in regard to this matter?
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTDuring 1930, the death-rate per 1,000 boys under 16 years of age employed below ground was 0.96, and the injury-rate 250. The corresponding figures for 1929 were 1.37 and 249 and for 1928, 1.13 and 230. The injury-rates covr all accidents involving absence from work for more than three days. The difficult question of safety training and instruction for boys is having my active attention. The best results will, I think, be obtained by co-operative effort in the districts rather than by any uniform scheme under statutory Regulations, and I am glad to have this opportunity of mentioning the excellent scheme launched this autumn in Yorkshire by the combined efforts of all sections of the industry and the local education authorities. I hope that this scheme will meet with sufficient success to justify the adoption of similar schemes in other coalfields.