§ 41. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines at
§ many men are employed at each colliery; and whether the workmen take advantage of the bathing facilities provided?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXWith the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing collieries where six or more baths are provided for the workmen. This will include, in answer to the third part of the question, particulars of the average number of workmen who use the pit-head baths at the collieries where they are provided.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXParticulars will be given in the statement I make.
§ Following is the statement:
§ work in Great Britain and the number of inspectors of horses employed in such mines in the years 1921 and 1922, and the 2149 total number inspections of these mines by those inspectors in those years, respectively?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Lieut.-Colonel Lane-Fox)The number of mines, under the Coal Mines Act, working in 1921 was 3,030, and in 1922, 2,911. Of these, 1,803 and 1,699, respectively, were mines in which horses were used. The number of inspectors of horses was eight in each year. They made 2,000 inspections in 1921 and 2,254 in 1922. But inspection of horses is not limited to the inspectors appointed specially for that purpose. It is part of the duty of all but one or two inspectors of mines, of whom there are 78, besides the horse inspectors.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my hon. and gallant Friend consider the propriety of appointing more inspectors?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXUnder the limits of the present power of expenditure I have, it would mean cutting down inspectors who have to deal with other matters.
§ Mr. LUNNDo the inspectors simply inspect the horses in the stables at the pit bottom or do they go on the road and see the conditions under which the horses have to work?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXThey certainly should go down the road and see them at work, and I believe they do.