HC Deb 08 December 1931 vol 260 cc1710-1W
Mr. D. DAVIES

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of colliery disasters during the last 10 years into which formal inquiries were held; the number in which breaches of the Coal Mines Act or Regulations were found; and the number of cases where prosecutions were instituted?

Mr. ISAAC FOOT

During the 10 years 1921–1930, formal investigations under Section 83 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, were held into 25 colliery disasters. Prosecutions were instituted on behalf of the Mines Department against the colliery management in seven cases where the evidence proved that serious breaches of the Coal Mines Act or Regulations had been committed.