§ 36. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Home Secretary if, seeing that not more than six inspectors are appointed to inspect the pit ponies in our coal mines, he will state the number of mines and the approximate number of pit ponies to be inspected; and will he see that an adequate number of inspectors are appointed so that the provisions of the Mines Act of 1911 are carried out?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe number of mines employing pit ponies and the number of pit ponies employed are approximately 1,880 and 65,000. There are eight, not six, special inspectors of horses, and practically every mine employing ponies is visited by one of these inspectors at least once a year, some of them several times. The ordinary inspectors also constantly inspect horses and stables. The inspectors find, generally speaking, that the horses are in good condition and well treated, and that the provisions of the Act of 1911 are satisfactorily complied with; and I do not think there is any need at present for an addition to the number of horse inspectors.
§ Mr. GWYNNEAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman thinks that eight inspectors are sufficient to inspect 65,000 ponies?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, that is what my advisers tell me. I understand that they do the work quite efficiently.