§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment at how many deep coal mines in the United Kingdom the refuge holes required under section 40 of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 and regulation 59 of the Shafts Outlets and Roads Regulations have not been excavated; and if he will list the mines.
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 28 October 1994]: The legal requirement relating to the provision of refuge holes is absolute and no mine has been granted an exemption from providing refuge holes.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) on what grounds managers of certain deep coal mines have been given a derogation from their liabilities to cause refuge holes to be excavated; and who gave authority for the derogation;
(2) what is the total number of refuge holes that must now be excavated following the derogation given to managers at certain deep coal mines; and if this work will be completed prior to privatisation.
Mr. Oppeneheim[holding answer 28 October 1994]: No manager of a deep coal mine has been given derogation from the provision of refuge holes in roadways.