HC Deb 05 December 1911 vol 32 cc1328-9

Nothing in this Act shall—

  1. (a) prevent any person who is less than twenty-five years of age from acting as manager of a mine if he was lawfully so acting at the date of the passing of this Act; or
  2. (b) prevent any person acting as a fireman, examiner, or deputy, notwithstanding that he has not obtained a certificate of his ability to measure the quantity of air in an air current, if he was employed as a fireman, examiner, or deputy at the date of the passing of this Act;
  3. (c) prevent any owner or agent of a mine taking part in the technical management of the mine notwithstanding that he is not qualified under this Act to be a manager, if he was taking part in the technical management of the mine at the time of the passing of this Act.

Sir C. CORY

I beg to move, to add to the Clause the following paragraph, (d) prevent any person acting as a surveyor, and preparing such plans as are required by this Act to be kept, notwithstanding that he does not possess the prescribed qualifications, if he was so employed at the date of the passing of this Act. I think that the omission of some provision to this effect is probably the result of an oversight, and that in the case of the persons referred to when they are still holding their position they should be allowed to continue to do so.

Colonel HICKMAN

I beg to second the Amendment.

In the original Clause power is given to gentlemen like the hon. Baronet the Member for Mansfield to manage their own mines, and having given persons like the hon. Gentleman that power I think he will agree that we should give the same right to surveyors to carry on their work.

Mr. MASTERMAN

I think my explanation will satisfy my hon. Friend. All we wish is that the surveyor who is acting in connection with these matters shall be a competent person. The only test we wish to apply is the test of competence and efficiency for this work, but there is no intention of making the surveyors pass an examination.

Sir C. CORY

I beg leave to withdraw my Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.