HC Deb 09 July 1872 vol 212 cc872-4

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 23 (General Rules).

Amendment proposed, in sub-section 4, line 6, to leave out the word "load," and insert the words "produce of the mine in transit exceeds ten tons in any one hour over any part thereof, and."—(Mr. Pease.)

Question proposed, "That the word 'load' stand part of the clause."

Amendment agreed to.

SIR DAVID WEDDERBURN

observed, that the first of the "General Rules" in the present Bill was almost identical with the first general rule in the Coal Mines Bill, but he found no provisions in the present Bill for enforcing compliance with the rule. He, therefore, wished to know what means the Home Secretary looked to for securing the efficient ventilation of metalliferous mines?

MR. BRUCE

said, that many of the provisions suited for coal mines were inapplicable to mines of the character now under consideration; but what was required was that there should be a sufficient amount of ventilation.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clauses 24 to 37, inclusive, agreed to.

Clause 38 struck out.

Clause 39 and 40 agreed to.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

MR. BRUCE

brought up new Clauses,

(Prosecution of offences)

(Application of Act to the Isle of Man), which, were agreed to, and added to the Bill.

LORD GEORGE CAVENDISH moved to insert the following clause after Clause 10:— (Mines where not more than twelve persons are employed underground). In any mine where not more than twelve persons are employed underground, the returns specifying the quantity of mineral or other material sold from such mine shall be made by the bar-master or other officer employed to collect the dues or royalty, and the owner or agent of such mine shall not be required to send any return specifying the number of persons employed in or about such mine.

MR. BRUCE

undertook, if the words were an improvement, that they should be inserted in the 10th clause.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

CAPTAIN BEAUMONT

expressed a hope that the Bill would be reprinted with Amendments.

MR. BRUCE

said, he thought the best mode of proceeding would be to postpone the present discussion until the Report had been agreed to.

MR. LIDDELL

hoped, in any case, that a considerable interval would be allowed to elapse. There was no wish to delay the measure; but it was extremely desirable that the changes which had been introduced should be well understood by all parties interested.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered upon Friday, at Two of the clock, and to be printed. [Bill 236.]