§ 26. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines what the Mines Department are doing in respect of gas detectors being installed in coal mines; and can he say when this will be done?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)My hon. Friend is, of course, aware of the extent to which flame safety lamps are used for detecting gas in coal mines and of their efficiency and reliability for that purpose, and I assume his question relates to other supplementary detecting instruments. My Department is closely interesting itself in the development and testing of these devices: and a series of systematic pit trials of one of them has been arranged. The Safety in Mines Research Board are also engaged in carrying out laboratory tests on the same detector. The results will be carefully watched, but it will be some little time before sufficient experience has been gained to allow a definite judgment to be formed.
§ Mr. TINKERHave any of these detectors been tested in the natural conditions of the mines, and, also, is my hon. Friend meeting with any opposition from the colliery owners in making the test?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI understand that most of the detectors now before the Department have been tried out in practical circumstances in the pits. As regards the second part of the supplementary question, as far as I know, no opposition has been raised by the colliery owners.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHas my hon. Friend seen a copy of a letter of the 7th December, 1927—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat matter does not arise out of the question.