§ 57. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked whether the Returns called for from the Scottish mineowners, under the Mines (Rescue and Aid) Order, have now been examined; and whether, having regard to the danger to life and limb to which miners as a class are constantly exposed, the Home Secretary will take immediate action to secure the formation of rescue brigades, the provision of up-to-date rescue and ambulance appliances, and the establishment of rescue stations throughout the Lanarkshire and other Scottish coalfields in terms of Section 85 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir; the Returns have now been tabulated, and, I regret to say, show that in some counties the progress made is far from satisfactory. The Order has now been in force for nearly a year, and the owners have had ample time in which to make their arrangements; and unless I receive an assurance from them that energetic steps will be taken at once to secure full compliance with the Order at an early date it will be necessary to take legal proceedings to enforce the Order.