§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the number of coal mines working in India, and the provision of the Mines Act of India requiring that all mine managers shall hold certificates showing that they possess certain qualifications, will he consider the expediency of establishing a Government School of Mines and Metallurgy in India, so that natives of India may be afforded opportunities of obtaining such certificates.
(Answered by the Secretary of State for India.) The Mines Act merely provides that the Government of India may, if they think fit, prescribe the qualifications of managers of mines. I am not aware that they have made any Rules on the subject, or have prescribed certificates. If they should do so, I am confident that the expediency of providing in India the technical instruction necessary for such certificates will not be overlooked.