§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether, in view of the admission in the Third Report of the Royal Commission on Mines of the existence of cases of overwork and ill-treatment of pit ponies, and of certain recommendations in such Report as to statutory enactment to prevent their continuance, it is proposed to amend the Coal Mines Bill by the addition of clauses referring thereto; or whether it is intended to deal with this subject by Departmental regulations, without submission of their policy or provisions to this House?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn order to avoid overloading the Bill, it is proposed to deal with this and other matters by means of regulations made in pursuance of the powers given by the Bill for the purpose. This is in accordance with what I understand to have been the intention of the Royal Commission. The procedure prescribed by the Bill provides for the hearing of all parties concerned before the regulations are finally made and reference to an arbitrator if necessary. When made, they will be laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Royal Commissioners specifically reported that these regulations should be incorporated in the Bill, and therefore brought before the cognisance of the House, and not made by the Department under it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is better to proceed in the manner in which we have decided.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill there be any opportunity for the House to discuss the regulations?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI say they will be laid before Parliament. There will be an opportunity. I am as anxious as the hon. Gentleman to prevent cruelty to pit ponies.
§ Sir F. BANBURYShall we have the right hon. Gentleman's valuable co-operation on the Committee to introduce a Clause to this effect?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think we had better leave the proceedings in Grand Committee until the Grand Committee is actually set up.