MR. CARVELL WILLIAMS) (Notts, MansfieldI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the provision of "The Metalliferous Mines Act, 1872," that not more than 4 lbs. of explosives shall be taken into a mine by a workman, packets of 5 lbs. have, for convenience, been permitted; but that, recently, Her Majesty's Inspector has insisted on a strict observance of the provision of the Act; whether, as explosives are put up in boxes containing 10 packets of 5 lbs. each, he will take advice whether it is safer, as well as more convenient, to allow such packets to be used than to break bulk and re-weigh the contents; whether 5 lb. packets are permitted by "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872"; whether he is aware that Mr. Dickinson, the late Inspector of Mines, expressed the opinion that the use of 5 lb. packages was safer than that of 4 lb. packages; and whether, in view of all the facts of the case, the permission to use 5lb. packages may be continued in metalliferous mines?
§ MR. ASQUITHFive pound packets are permitted by the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872. Mr. Dickinson, the late Inspector of Mines, expressed the opinion that the use of 5 lb. packages was safer than that of 4 lb. packages. Neither I nor the Inspector has power to give permission for the use of 5 lb. packets in metalliferous mines; but I will consider whether legislation on the point is not desirable.