§ 5. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Secretary for Mines how many objections have been lodged against the draft regulation for the compulsory use of gas detectors underground; the nature of such objections; and whether the objections are to be submitted to a referee appointed in accordance with the Coal Mines Act, 1911?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI have received notification of one general objection to the draft regulations, the effect of which would be to exclude, for the purpose of the regulations, the provision and use of any flame safety lamp as a gas detector. I am in touch with the parties concerned, but am not yet in a position to answer the last part of the question. If the hon. Member will repeat it on 2nd April, I expect then to be able to reply.
§ 6. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries are using automatic gas detectors; and whether he is in possession of any recent data from colliery companies as to their efficacy?
§ Mr. BROWNAutomatic firedamp detectors are at present in use in substantial numbers at nine collieries, and in smaller numbers or on trial at about 50 others. The most useful recent information as to experience gained with them is contained in a paper by Mr. R. Bingham, agent to the Staveley Coal and Iron Company, Limited, which was read before the Colliery Managers' Association in January, and published in the technical Press. That experience was generally satisfactory.