§ 48. Mr. D. GRAHAMasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will cause inquiry to be made into charges of breaches of the Mines Act at Bothwell Castle Colliery, Bothwell, Lanarkshire; and, if it is found that they have occurred, will he state what action he proposes to take to ensure that the law will be properly observed at that colliery?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI do not know to what the hon. Member refers. No allegations of breaches of the Coal Mines Act at this colliery have reached my Department. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have any facts in his possession.
Mrs. SHAWIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a telegram has been received stating that there has been no breach of the Mines Act at Bothwell Castle Colliery?
§ Mr. GRAHAMIs the hon. Gentleman aware that men went down the pit at seven in the morning and worked there till five in the afternoon, and will not that be considered as a breach of the law?
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member is making allegations of which he has not given me evidence. If he will give me facts which I can have investigated, I will give him a reply, but I cannot reply to these vague assertions.
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am asking the hon. Member to make these inquiries through the mines inspectors. I am not engaged at that colliery. I can only give the information that is supplied to me, and I am asking that the mines inspectors should inquire at that colliery whether those allegations are true or not.
§ Mr. BROWNI have asked the hon. Member if he will give me the information, and I shall then be very glad to make the most exhaustive inquiries.