HC Deb 25 January 1937 vol 319 cc590-1W
Mr. Parker

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of numerous recent disasters culminating in that at Poidih colliery, on 18th December last, in which over 200 miners perished, including a large number of women, any steps are being taken to rectify the conditions, the insufficiency of Government inspectors, and the inadequacy of precautions in the Jahriar and other British-Indian coalfields?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. An Indian Mines (Amendment) Act was passed last April making various provisions for promoting safety in coal mines, more particularly in respect of danger from fires. In addition, the Government of India issued Coal Mines (Temporary) Regulations on 23rd May and 27th June. A Committee of Experts was appointed on the 29th October to inquire into the question of affording greater protection to persons employed in mines and to report on measures which should be taken to that end.