§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Durham, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department—(1) whether it is part of the duties of an inspector of mines to inquire into the action of the safety lamp as a cause of miners' nystagmus; and, (2) whether it would be competent for an inspector to prohibit the use of any class of safety lamps, if it were proven that such lamp caused nystagmus?
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYThe answer to both parts of the Question is in the negative; but I may add that Dr. Snell, of Sheffield, who has written a work on miners' nystagmus, and is still carrying on his investigations into its causes, is afforded such assistance as is in his power by the Inspector of the District. The conclusions so far obtained, point, I understand, to other causes than the use of safety lamps.