§ MR. D. A. THOMASI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the extent of the districts over which the present inspectors of coal mines in South Wales and Monmouthshire exercise supervision, the especially dangerous character of the collieries in those districts, and the very large number of persons employed, he will consider the advisability of appointing sub-assistant inspectors of mines from amongst the workmen to assist the inspectors in their duties?
*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. G. W. E. RUSSELL,) North BedsMy hon. Friend asked a similar question to this last August, when the Secretary of State told him that he had appointed two men of practical experience as workmen to be assistant inspectors of quarries and metalliferous mines; that he could not then go further; but, although he could not give any pledge as to the future, he would give full consideration to his and other representations on the subject. I am sorry that I cannot at present add anything to what was then said by the Secretary of State.