§ 60. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Secretary for Mines the position with regard to the regulation for the compulsory use of gas detectors underground?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)The Mineworkers' Federation have withdrawn their objection to the draft regulations. I have agreed for my part that the working of the regulations will be reviewed by a committee before the expiration of a trial period of two years. I have accordingly made an Order by which the regulations are established in the form of the draft already published; it is provided in the Order that the regulations shall be in force for two years from 1st October next. Copies of the Order will be published and circulated as soon as possible.
§ Mr. SMITHCan the Secretary for Mines say whether this committee of inquiry will be representative of those engaged in the industry—the Ministry of Mines, the workers and the owners?
§ Mr. BROWNIt is much too early to say that, but the intention is to observe how the various types work in order to arrive at the best conclusion in regard to safety in the industry.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the Committee be kept acquainted with the number of automatic detectors in use and the collieries using them?