13. Miss WARD (for Mr. CONANT)asked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the decision of a colliery company in the Midlands to instal automatic fire-damp detectors for the use of workmen underground; and whether he can make a statement in regard to this development?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI am informed that the Staveley Coal and Iron Company, Limited, after carrying out pit trials of the Ringrose automatic firedamp detector at their Markham Colliery, have now decided to equip with this detector each of the conveyor faces in two of the seams, and that the company will probably equip the third seam of the colliery in a similar way at a later date.
§ Mr. T. SMITHIs the hon. Gentleman's Department doing anything to encourage other owners to follow the example of this company?
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member will know that regulations have recently been drafted and are under discussion with representative associations. I have seen the deputies on the matter, and I am to see the Miners' Federation and the Mining Association to-morrow.
§ Mr. PIKEHave the safety appliances mentioned in the question received the general support of the experts of the Mines Department?