§ 13. Mr. SPENCERasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the report of the inspector for the north-western area, with particular reference to the education of juvenile colliery workers of the St. Helens area in safety principles; and how far similar schemes have been adopted in other districts?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I had the pleasure of being present at the opening meeting of these classes at St. Helens in January, and I have been glad to learn that already over 150 boys have taken advantage of these facilities. Similar classes were held in Yorkshire in 1931 and 1932, when over 1,200 boys were enrolled each session, and in Nottinghamshire in 1932, when 500 boys attended. Full particulars are given in the Inspectors' Reports just published. Arrangements are being made to start classes next autumn at about 50 centres in Northumberland and Durham, and at a number of centres in Derbyshire, and I shall use my utmost endeavour to encourage and support the development of this valuable movement in other coalfields.
§ Mr. TOM SMITHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in Yorkshire where this educational work is being conducted, the authority concerned is hampered by lack of funds; and can he not make it possible for some grant to be made for carrying on the work?
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member is probably aware that this work is made possible by a combination of local 914 education authorities and the Welfare Fund, together with the coalowners and the managers and the Department, and I am not aware at the moment that it is being hampered as Yorkshire has been most successful as well as being a pioneer.
§ Mr. GEORGE HALLIs there any provision for any of these centres in South Wales?
§ Mr. BROWNNot at the moment, but I have that district in mind among the other districts mentioned in the last part of my answer.
§ Mr. SMITHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the people who are concerned in this education work themselves told me that they were hampered by lack of funds?