§ 9. Mr. G. MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines inspectors employed in Lancashire and Cheshire, the number of underground inspections made during each of the last three years, and the number of collieries visited?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe counties of Lancashire and Cheshire form part of the North-Western Division, the total inspectorate of which consists of 15 whole time inspectors and three who also have duties in other divisions. In the County of Lancashire six inspectors give their whole time to colliery inspection in addition to the Divisional Inspector and two other inspectors who also have responsibilities elsewhere. The Cheshire collieries are dealt with by inspectors who are mainly employed in North Staffordshire. With regard to the statistics as to the number of underground inspections and the number of collieries visited in Lancashire and Cheshire, I propose, with the permission of my hon. Friend, to circulate these in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MACDONALDIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the inspectorate is adequate in these two counties?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThat is a matter which I have under consideration at the moment.
§ Following are the statistics:
§ Mr. SHINWELLOh, yes, we are at present collecting the levy for 1930.