§ 10. Mr. GEORGE BARKERasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that there have been serious complaints at Llanhilleth Colliery about a scarcity of timber; that between the 26th March last and the 10th April, out of 41 reports made for the west district of this mine, on 38 occasions a scarcity of timber was reported; that one of His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines has been written to on behalf of the workmen on this matter, and no reply has been received; and, in view of the serious character of this complaint, will he have it investigated and have the Coal Mines Regulation Act carried out and the workmen adequately supplied with suitable timber?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Bridgeman)Two complaints as to shortage of timber at this colliery were made to the Inspector of Mines in January and February last. Both complaints were fully investigated. Until the hon. Member gave notice of his question, I was not aware of any later complaint. There has not been time since then to investigate the matter fully, but this is being done, and if it is the case that the Coal Mines Act is not being complied with, steps will be taken to get this remedied.