§ 39. Mr. W. J. BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines whether the suggestion made by His Majesty's inspector of mines for the Northern Division in his last report that an efficient scheme of training for pit pony drivers should be adopted by mine managers in that area has been officially considered; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI understand that some form of preliminary training is already provided, and the question raised in the inspector's report of the extent to which such training can usefully be extended and systematised is, in my view, primarily one for consideration locally, by reference to the special needs and customs of the district, and does not readily lend itself to solution by direct official action. The matter is, however, one in which special and constant interest is taken by His Majesty's inspectors, and I will call for further reports in due course as to the progress made.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONWill the hon. Gentleman tell the House where the training of these boys takes place?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe training takes place in the pits.
§ 40. Mr. BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of mines in South Wales, Yorkshire, and the Midlands, in which no bedding is provided for the pit ponies; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. SHINWELLNo statistical information is available but from recent inquiries I find that it is the general practice to provide some form of bedding 268 for pit ponies both in the districts named and throughout the country. The matter is one that receives the daily attention of the Inspectors of Horses in the course of their general duties and I have no reason to think that any additional action is called for at present.