§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the examiners appointed under "The Coal Mines Act, 1887," in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Darlington districts, require from those who desire to be examined for first-class certificates that they must have served five years either as overman or underviewer before they can sit for such examination; and whether such restriction is in accordance with the provisions of the said Act; if so, under what section?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir; the fact is as stated. I am advised by the aw Officers of the Crown that the restriction is one that the Board of Examiners have a right to impose tinder Sub-section 2 of the 24th clause of the Act.
§ MR. FENWICKWill the effect of that restriction be to leave out 99 per cent, of the men otherwise qualified; and is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to propose legislation to remedy the grievance?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe result may be as the hon. Member has stated, and I confess it rather startled me; but I have taken the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown, which is embodied in my reply to the hon. Member's question. I am not prepared to propose any legislation on the subject. The Examiners have the confidence of the House and the country.