§ 27. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary for Mines if he can give the number of mines in England and Wales still using the guss for coal-haulage of wheelless tubs; and the number of persons so engaged?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe number of mines is 17, and the number of persons approximately 800.
§ Mr. HARDIEOn the basis of the Coal Measures Reconstruction Act that we heard so much about, has any part of that Measure been applied to cases like this, of men working underground and drawing tubs without wheels?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not follow the connection between the two questions.
§ Mr. HARDIEI want to know if any part of the Measure passed in this House during the six months of the stoppage for the reorganisation of the mining industry has been applied to places where there are no wheels on the tubs?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better give notice of that question.
§ Mr. HARDIEIt is on the Paper. The reference here is to existing conditions, and I am asking if that Act has been applied?
§ Mr. SPEAKERAny question as to the application of the Act should be put on the Paper.
§ Mr. BATEYHas the Mines Department ever asked the inspectors of mines to interview owners to try to put a stop to this bad practice?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe hon. Member will probably recollect that in 1914 there was an Inquiry into all this, and the result of the evidence then 1030 obtained was that there had never been any known case of anyone suffering in his health.