§ 65. Mr. JOHN TAYLORasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that certain men employed in No. 1 Pit, Chopwell Colliery, refused to continue to work in No. 7 West Conveyor face, on the ground that it was unsafe, an opinion which was endorsed by the local inspectors; that the men stopped working on the 14th April last, and the Government inspector visited the place on the 16th April; and that his opinion has not yet been communicated; and whether he will consider the desirability in such cases of the Government inspector giving his opinion in writing before he leaves the colliery, just as the local inspectors do?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have made inquiries with regard to this case. The inspector who visited the mine was accompanied by the manager and the workmen's representatives who had made the report. He considered the face at the time of his visit to be well timbered and safe, but he advised that special care should be given to the timbering, and the manager promised to do this and to put a deputy-overman to devote his whole time to the work. It would not be desirable for an inspector as a general rule to give written opinions at the time of making a visit. In the case of a subordinate inspector, his duty is to report to the inspector in charge of the district, who then takes further action if further action be necessary.