115. Vice-Admiral Taylorasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the continual presence of explosives in the coal issued to the consumer, he is taking further action in the matter.
§ Mr. GaitskellEvery reported case where explosives are found in coal, or where an explosion occurs in a coal fire, is investigated, usually by the police. Fourteen cases have been investigated during the last two months. In seven cases explosions occurred and the probable causes were respectively stone in the coal, some kind of ammunition, drying gunpowder in front of the fire, a railway fog signal, and a coal mining explosive; of the two other explosions, no definite cause has been found, but in one of these cases the explosive was clearly not one used in coal mining. In the other seven cases no explosion took place, but in four of them coal mining explosives were found; three other apparently similar cases are still under investigation.
Where a coal mining explosive appears to have been involved (whether an explosion actually occurred or not) immediate investigation has been made at the colliery concerned. So far one investigation has disclosed unsatisfactory supervision at the colliery concerned, and this is being remedied. The other cases are still under investigation. The statutory regulations concerning the use and custody of explosives at collieries are adequate to safeguard the public if they are properly carried out and the National Coal Board have impressed upon all Divisional Boards the need for the greatest care in this respect. I cannot, of course, accept responsibility for explosives which may find their way into the coal after it has left the colliery, but in view of the public concern at the continuance of these incidents, I am asking the Chief Inspector of Mines to instruct all Mines Inspectors to pay special attention to the observance at collieries of the statutory requirements governing the use and custody of explosives.