MR. KENYON&c.) (Denbigh,asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to a Resolution passed by the workmen at the Rhondda Colliery, in consequence of the deplorable accident there, to the effect that the practice of working extra time between the shifts is fraught with danger to the lives of the men; and, if so, whether the Inspectors of Mines can be empowered to prevent the practice?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)No, Sir; my attention has not been called to this Resolution; but I am informed by the Inspector that working extra time between shifts does not of itself involve any increased danger to the lives of the men. Inspectors have no power by law to interfere with the hours of employment of persons above the age of 16 years, and I do not think it would be wise to confer any such power upon them.
§ MR. W. ABRAHAM (Glamorgan, Rhondda)said, he desired to ask the Home Secretary a Question of which he had given him private Notice, Whether it was permissible, under the present Mines Act, that managers should employ large numbers of ordinary workmen at the particular time when shots were allowed to be fired; whether it was competent for young men, being sons of colliery owners, without practical experience or certificate of any kind, to act as agents for those collieries owned by their fathers; whether he intended in the new Mines Bill to make any provision for stopping such a condition of things, so that no such positions should be held except by persons duly qualified; and, whether he would direct an inquiry into the recent explosion in the Rhondda Valley?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, he must enter his protest against a Minister being expected to answer two pages of Questions which were only placed in his hands as he entered the House. But he would try to answer the Questions. With 478 regard to the employment of men during the hours when shots were allowed to be fired, the hon. Member would find the law upon that point in the Mines Act of 1872, sec. 51, sub-sec. 8. The law as to the employment of agents was dealt with in Section 26. The new Mines Bill would contain no provision with regard to the employment of their sons by colliery owners; but provision would be made to insure competent supervision. As to the recent explosion, he had not only directed an inquiry, but had also directed counsel to appear on behalf of the Home Office.