§ 87. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken in Scotland to provide rescue and ambulance appliances and to form and train rescue brigades under Section 85 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911; and whether, having regard to the risks to which miners are constantly exposed, he will take action, pending the final adjustment of the general regulations to be made under the Act, to secure that suitable provision is made for rescue and ambulance work in the Lanarkshire and other Scottish coalfields?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe whole question will be considered when the returns from the mine owners as to provision made in pursuance of the Rescue and Aid Order have been received and examined. Meantime, I am not in a position to give full information on the subject, but I may say that one rescue station is established and in full working order at Cowdenbeath and another is in the course of erection at Kilmarnock. Two hundred and ninety men have already been trained at Cowdenbeath, and fifty-four more are in course of being trained there. I am informed by the Divisional Inspector of Mines for Scotland that the provision of ambulance appliances is satisfactory, each mine having installed what is required.
§ Mr. DUNCAN MILLARCan the right hon. Gentleman say why no action has been taken in the rest of Scotland?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot answer that without notice.