69. Mr. ERNEST WINTERTONasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any report to make to the House in connection with the testing of automatic gas detectors for use in coal mines; and when action requiring the installation of safety detectors may be expected to be taken?
§ Mr. SHINWELLAfter lengthy discussions I have, I believe, secured the co-operation of the manufacturers of an automatic firedamp detector and of two colliery owners in making arrangements for further pit trials, under agreed conditions, during which the accuracy and reliability of the detector will be studied, on my behalf, by the Safety in Mines Research Board. The necessary preparations are already being made and the trials will, I hope, commence almost immediately. The further action to be taken will depend on the results of these trials.