§ 43. Mr. E. WILLIAMS (for Mr. D. GRENFELL)asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has a report of the number of cases in which firemen or deputies report the presence of gas on their daily inspections; and whether he is able to make comparison of the state 885 of ventilation in coal mines from such information?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe answer to the first part of the question is "No." As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that was given him in reply to a similar question on 4th December last. The statutory reports of the inspections made by deputies are studied at the mines by His Majesty's inspectors in relation to their own inspections and reports.
§ 44. Mr. E. WILLIAMS (for Mr. D. GRENFELL)asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has received reports of the emission of sparks from the violent contact of steel rings on removal by mechanical appliances; and whether, having regard to the possible ignition of firedamp by such means, he will require special attention to the state of ventilation on all roadways where such operations are to be carried out?
§ Mr. BROWNI have a long answer, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Yes, Sir. In a few instances, flashing or sparking associated either with the withdrawal of steel arching or with its sudden fracture, has been observed underground. These phenomena are being studied by the Safety in Mines Research Board, and their investigators have recently succeeded in reproducing them experimentally, using a special testing plant belonging to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, which was generously placed at the board's service by the railway company. An account of the work will be published shortly in the board's annual report and, in the meantime, the hon. Member's question and this reply will serve effectively to bring the matter to the notice of mine managements and others concerned. I may add that it is not known at present whether these flashes or sparks are capable of igniting firedamp.