HC Deb 21 October 1991 vol 196 cc397-8W
Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State. for Employment if he will make a statement on the death of Mr. Lewis in the Glen colliery Cwmllynfelly, on Friday 11 October; and what action is being taken to check safety in other private mines in the Neath constituency.

Mr. Forth

I note with regret the death on 11 October of Mr. Lewis a 44-year-old colliery faceworker at the Glen colliery licensed mine in South Wales.

The incident resulted from a fall of a roof while the deceased was working in a narrow seam. Two inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive's mines inspectorate were immediately sent to the mine where they carried out a full investigation. Their report, together with any recommendations is being considered by HM Chief Inspector of Mines.

Licensed coal mines in the Neath constituency are included in a systematic inspection programme drawn up by the Inspector in charge of the district weighted in line with local circumstances and knowledge. All working licensed coal mines are inspected at least once per year, usually more frequently.

Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the frequency of inspections of private licensed mines in(a) south Wales and (b) the Neath constituency for each year since 1979.

Mr. Jackson

Operating licensed mines in south Wales which includes those in the Neath constituency are visited by the Health and Safety Executive's mines inspectorate at least once each year and usually more frequently.

Mr. Hain

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give figures for the number of inspectors of mines in south Wales per 100 employees in both private licensed and British Coal collieries for each year since 1979.

Mr. Forth

The available information, which relates to British Coal employees only, is as follows:

Year Ratio of MIs per British Coal employees
1979 n.a.
1980 n.a.
1981 0.05
1982 0.05
1983 0.06
1984 0.06
1985 0.08
1986 0.08
1987 0.12
1988 0.13
1989 0.22
1990 0.37

Reliable information about the number of employees at private licensed mines is not available.