§ 63. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the proportion of coal that enters into the making of steel, any steps on a large scale are being taken to substitute British-made steel pit props for the Foreign pit-wood props now import ed by our coal mines?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)and other advantages of steel supports are being closely investigated and kept prominently before the coal mining industry. The use of steel supports is steadily developing though, taking the industry as a whole, it is not yet on a large scale.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that steel props in coal mines are infinitely more dangerous than ordinary wood props, and will he, instead of encouraging, discourage the use of what is known to be more dangerous to life and limb than timber props?
§ Commodore KINGI cannot accept that as a general proposition.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe hon. and gallant Member would do so if he worked in a pit.
Lieut.-Colonel LAMBERT WARDCan the hon. and gallant Member give the comparative cost of the steel props and the wooden props which have been in use hitherto?
§ Commodore KINGNot without notice.
§ Mr. BATEYWhen the hon. and gallant Member says that the use of steel props is developing, can he say in which area or in which colliery that development is taking place?
§ Commodore KINGNot without notice.