§ 6. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Secretary for Mines if he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the suggested regulation for the compulsory use of gas detectors underground?
§ Mr. E. BROWNIt is an essential condition of effective action in this matter that the workmen individually and through their organisations shall cooperate willingly and actively to give effect to any regulations that may be made. Otherwise, the regulations would 177 be ineffective. The reasons why this is s0 were fully stated in the unanimous report made some years ago by a representative committee—the Miners' Lamps Committee—and they are reasons which hold good to-day. In these circumstances, it is of the first importance that I should if possible find a basis of action by agreement with the workers' representatives, and I propose to invite them to a further discussion of the objections they now feel to the proposals put forward by me.
§ Mr. SMITHCan the hon. Gentleman give any indication when he is likely to complete the investigation?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, when the federation came away from his Department on the last occasion, it was intimated to them that the hon. Gentleman had already made up his mind, and will he tell us what purpose can be served if, before the arrival of the deputation, he had made up his mind?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentle man aware that that was the statement which was made to the Miners' Federation Executive?
§ Mr. BROWNIf the hon. Member will read the answer he will see that it shows that that was not the case.