§ Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether the chief inspector of mines and quarries for North 191 Wales was supposed to visit and inspect the open slate quarries, and when; and on how many occasions Mr. Hall, the chief inspector, visited the slate quarries of Carnarvonshire during the last two years?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe inspector in charge of a district is responsible for the administration of the Acts in mines and quarries throughout his district. He shares in the work of inspection, but as the general work of administration falls upon him, including heavy correspondence, preparation of the annual report and statistics, and other matters, the bulk of the work of inspection necessarily falls upon his assistants, two of whom are stationed in North Wales for this purpose. Under the new arrangements, however, which came into force on the 1st of this month, I hope that the inspectors in charge of districts will be able to devote more time to the work of inspection. As regards the second part of the question, I have not the information asked for. As my hon. Friend is aware, Mr. Hall has now retired from the service under the age rule.
§ Mr. ELLIS DAVIESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, notwithstanding the serious nature of the accidents in these quarries, the chief inspector has not visited the quarries during the last three years?