HC Deb 03 November 1994 vol 248 cc1357-8W
Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the statutory requirements in respect of refuge holes by the roadways of working collieries.

Mr. Oppenheim

Section 40 of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 requires the mine manager to provide refuge holes at prescribed intervals on roads along which vehicles operate. More detailed requirements concerning the intervals between refuge holes in coal mines, their dimensions and other matters are set out in regulation 59 of the Coal and Other Mines (Shafts and Outlets) Regulations 1960.

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of(a) the number of refuge holes which have been removed from the roadways of working collieries and (b) the extent of new roadway which has been provided without such refuge holes, together with an estimate of the shortfall in the number of such holes; what reasons he has been given for such removal or non-construction; and who authorised such removal or non-construction.

Mr. Oppenheim

The Health and Safety Executive is not aware that any refuge holes have been removed from the roadways of working collieries or that any new roadway has been built without the required refuge holes. Any shortfall in provision arises from the repair of rebuilding of existing refuge holes necessitated by strata movement. It is not possible to estimate the extent of this work at any one time.

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the current short-fall in refuge holes in the roadways of working collieries with reference to the legal requirement.

Mr. Oppenheim

This information is not available. Conditions below ground are constantly changing due to the dynamic effects of strata movement which requires refuge holes to be repaired or remade as appropriate.

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many special breaches of regulation have occurred in the last two years in respect of the removal of or failure to provide refuge holes by the roadways of working collieries.

Mr. Oppenheim

The information is not available in the form requested.

Mr. Clapham

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of re—establishing refuge holes on(a) the established rock bolting pattern and (b) the affected roadways.

Mr. Oppenheim

[holding answer 28 October 1994]: The design of roadway support systems always take account of refuge hole formation.

In re-establishing refuge holes, the method of supporting them in conjunction with the support system adopted for the roadway has to be fully considered in the preparation of the manager's support rules.