§ 22. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Secretary for Mines the approximate number of pit ponies in use in the coal mines of this country; what is the difference in cost between their use and that of mechanical haulage; and how far are they being superseded by mechanical haulage?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe number of pit ponies employed underground has decreased during the last four years from 65,979 to 56,745 and the decrease is due no doubt in part to the substitution of mechanical methods of haulage. I regret that information as to relative costs is not available.