HC Deb 19 August 1909 vol 9 cc1516-7
Mr. GLOVER

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, seeing that Henry Hall, Esq., one of His Majesty's inspectors of mines in West Lancashire, has allowed more time than is required for lowering and raising the men in the mines, and says that he has no power to reduce the same, he will say what steps, if any, he will take to have the time reduced?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Gladstone)

I have communicated with the inspector, who informs me that the times approved by him were in each case such as the circumstances appeared to him to warrant, having regard to the safety of the men. On the 10th instant he had a conference on the subject with the miners' representatives, who submitted certain cases for reconsideration. These are now being inquired into, and if it is found that in these cases the winding times can in practice be reduced without risk, he will take action accordingly.

Mr. WATT

By how much does the time allowed by this inspector exceed the legal time?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I do not know what the legal time is.