§ 77. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the success attending the demonstration given by Mr. Alfred Williams at the Hotel Cecil on 26th June in connection with the new fire-damp indicator of which he is the inventor; and whether, having regard to the satisfactory results obtained from this instrument, he will institute a further test by the Home Office experts with a view to recommending its adoption in all mines where firedamp is present?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have seen a report of the demonstration referred to in the 2108 question. The introduction of a reliable appliance for detecting fire-damp is, in view of the rapid introduction of electric safety lamps, a very important matter, and my Department is watching closely the various attempts which are being made to produce such appliances. The Department, however, could not properly undertake the responsibility of recommending any appliance on the strength of laboratory tests merely and before its reliability under working conditions below ground had been established by actual experience of its use.