§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is now held by his Department that exemptions of certain coal mines from the obligation to provide weighing machines, granted to them under the provisions of "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872, are still in force, although that Act was specifically repealed by "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887;" and, if so, what is the total number of coal mines so exempted, 1713 and the total tonnage of coal drawn thereat in 1888?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe High Court of Justice has held that weighing exemptions under the Coal Mines Act, 1872, are still in force, notwithstanding the repeal of that Statute. The Secretary of State has, however, the power of revoking such exemptions; and I have more than once stated that whenever application is made to me by persons interested I am prepared to consider the case of each colliery so exempted with a view to arriving at a decision whether the exemption should be revoked. I can supply the hon. Member with the total number of mines exempted, but it will take some little time to ascertain accurately. The tonnage drawn at particular collieries is a matter which ought not to be disclosed under the Act of 1887.
§ MR. JOHN ELLISI did not ask for the particulars of any colliery, but what is the total tonnage.