§ 7. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the increasing lengths of coal faces that are machine holed and cut; and, in view of the distance between the outlets or gateways, whether he will consider laying down a maximum distance between the gateways so as to ensure a reasonable prospect of the workers on the coal face getting to safety should danger arise through the roof breaking down?
Captain CROOKSHANKI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my predecssor gave him in answer to a similar question on 2nd April last.
§ Mr. TINKERI would like the Minister to take an interest in this matter. Is he aware that there has been an alteration of from about 25 yards to about 300 yards apart? Will he in his new policy pay attention to this matter 1638 and try to get a maximum distance fixed by law?
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of the enormous distances now under machine mining as compared with the old hand mining, is it not time to make an inquiry so as to lay down any new regulations that may be necessary for this kind of work?
Captain CROOKSHANKAll that is dealt with in the reply to which I have referred. The Secretary for Mines may change, but the facts do not change.