HC Deb 04 June 1935 vol 302 cc1676-7
3.Mr. T. SMITH

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information as to the number of mines where appliances are in use for getting down coal as an alternative to shot-firing?

Mr. E. BROWN

Pneumatic picks are the chief alternatives at present and about 4,500 of them are in use for getting down coal at some 200 collieries. I have no precise information as to the extent to which other alternatives are in use.

Mr. SMITH

Will the Secretary for Mines ask his inspectors to inquire as to what has been done in some pits in Derbyshire?

Mr. BROWN

Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know which particular area he has in mind.

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