from Pat Jordan
The Derbyshire Miners' pamphlet, 'A Plan for Miners', drew attention to increasing: accident rate in the pits. The main, it said, was the high turn over of labour combined with a spsed-up. Striking confirmation of the serious state of affairs has come from the 'Report of H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines and Quarries for 1963' (available from H.M. Stationery Office, price 4/~). This report reveals that injuries in the coal mines last year were the highest recorded per thousand workers since records commenced on the present basis, in 1924. The rate was well over one accident per 3 workers -at 3774 per 1,000 employees. Deaths totalled 254, or ver one per working day, and serious accidents stood at 1,402, or nearly six per working day. The Chief Inspector, Mr. H.S. Stephenson, is naturally disappoibted with these figures. He too, links the increase with the drive for higher production. It appeared, he says, that "far too many people hold the view that high rates of production cannot be obtained if the requirements of the rules and regulations are always observed." It seems to be still a case of 'blood on the coal', Clearly socialist nationalisation with workers! control would not tolerate a position like this.