16. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is satisfied that existing legislation gives him adequate powers to provide for the proper working and living conditions of all ponies used in mines; whether his present system of inspection is adequate to secure humane treatment in all cases; and, if not, will he seek further powers S.) as to fully protect these animals?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Lieut.-Colonel Lane-Fox)I have no reason to think that existing legislation gives me inadequate powers as regards the care and treatment of pit ponies. Close check on the observance of the statutory requirements is exercised by the Mines Inspectorate, and they are reported to be generally well observed. But it is, of course, impossible by any system of inspection to prevent occasional instances of cruelty to or neglect of animals, and it would be very helpful if specific instances of inhumane treatment were promptly notified to the inspectors.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANWill the Secretary for Mines tell us whether there is any register of the number of shifts worked by the ponies in the mines; and is the number of inspectors now employed anything like adequate to inspect, the registers, even where such registers are kept?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXThe number of inspectors arises on a later question. I think that a register is kept, but I will inquire.
§ Major PAGETIs it not a fact that the number of prosecutions in connection with pit ponies has gone down in the last few years, and that such cases are now practically non-existent?
Captain ARTHUR EVANSIs it possible for -the Government to allow inspectors of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to visit the mines, in view of the inadequate number of official Government inspectors?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXIf the inspectors are adequate, as they ought to be, it is not necessary for any other body to take part in the inspection. With regard to the other question, since I have been in office I have instituted a number of prosecutions, and I do not think that the number has gone down.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANIs the Secretary for Mines aware that the mines inspectors consider that it is no part of their duty to inspect pit ponies, and that there are only eight inspectors for the whole of the United Kingdom?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXIt is entirely incorrect to say that it is not part of their duty to inspect the ponies. It is a thing that we are constantly urging upon them. There are eight inspectors whose special duty it is to inspect pit ponies.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn regard to the inadequacy of the inspection, could the House be told how many times a year, on the average, the inspectors visit any particular mine?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXI must have notice of that question.
§ 17. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that in many collieries ponies work very long hours; and will he introduce legislation to amend the Coal Mines Act, so as to stipulate the maximum number of hours that a pony shall work underground out of the 24 hours?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXL: A special inquiry in regard to the working hours of pit ponies was made by the Inspector of Mines in 1921, and showed that the reduction in the hours of the men which was brought about by the Coal Mines Act, 1919, resulted almost universally in a corresponding reduction in the working hours of the pit ponies, and that generally these hours were short. I am not aware that these conditions have changed, but I will certainly make further inquiry, and it will help me if hon. Members opposite who have any definite information will send it to me.
§ 19. Mr. SMITHasked the Secretary for Mines how many inspectors there are whose duty it is to examine into the care and treatment of horses and other 13 animals used in mires, and the approximate number of mines under their supervision?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXThis forms part of the duty of all but one or two inspectors of mines, of whom there are 86. Of these, eight are specially qualified inspectors of horses in mines, who devote their whole time to horse inspection. The number of mines at which horses were employed in 1922 was 1,695.
§ Mr. SMITHIf is is a fact that there are only eight inspectors whose duty it is to look after the care of pit ponies, is the Secretary for Mines aware that it is absolutely impossible for that number to inspect the pits and look after the ponies as they ought to do?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXI do not agree that that is so.