HC Deb 12 November 1931 vol 259 c261
39. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary for Mines the result of recent practical tests with automatic gas alarms; and whether any decision has been reached regarding their use in mines?

Mr. ISAAC FOOT

Five of the newly-constructed detectors were subjected to pit trials for a period of about three weeks, and under the conditions of test they gave reasonably consistent and reliable results. I have invited the Mining Association, the Miners' Federation, the National Association of Colliery Managers, and the General Federation of Deputies' Associations to nominate subcommittees to discuss with me, in view of the increasing use of electric safety lamps, the general problem of preventing danger in mines from inflammable and noxious gases, with special reference to the possibilities of electric firedamp detectors.

Mr. WILLIAMS

While thanking the hon. Member for his reply, may I ask him, in view of the fact that this particular alarm has been under consideration for many years and has been improved and passed all sorts of tests, if he does not think that a decision ought to be expedited as regards the compulsory use of a minimum number of these appliances in the mines of this country?

Mr. FOOT

I know that the invention to which my hon. Friend refers has been under consideration by my predecessors as well as myself, but I think it would be better that the several bodies which I have mentioned should confer on the matter before a decision is arrived at.