§ 23. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of inspections made by His Majesty's inspectors of mines for the year 1935 and what proportion of these were made on the day shift, the afternoon shift, and the night shift?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKDuring 1935, His Majesty's inspectors made 17,855 inspections underground in mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911. Of these, 15,261 were on the day shift, 1,035 afternoon and 1,559 night.
§ Mr. TINKERDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that the number of inspections on the night and afternoon shifts is in keeping with the number in the day turns; and is the fault in that respect not due to the fact that there is not an adequate number of inspectors; and will he consider increasing the number with a view to greater efficiency?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe last question put by the hon. Member raises a great many issues.
§ Mr. TINKERWell, think it over.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKOf course the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines is considering these very points but, on the specific question asked by the hon. Member in the first place, these inspections on the afternoon and night shifts actually show a slightly increased proportion to that which they had, when the hon. Member last asked a similar question.
§ Mr. GALLACHERCan the Minister give us the number of workmen's inspections, or would that require a separate question?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIt would certainly require a separate question.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs any considerable period of notice given to the managers of mines when inspections are about to be made? Do they get notice several days ahead?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI have answered that question previously in this House, and perhaps the hon. Member will refer to what I said on that occasion.
§ Mr. LAWSONAs this is a rather important point, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us what he did say on that occasion? This is the crux of the whole question.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIf I may, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, repeat what I said previously, I answered that notice is not given of inspections except in rare cases in which it is necessary for an inspector to see a particular person. If an inspector wants to see a particular person, he obviously desires to ensure that that person will be there but, generally, inspections are made without notice.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKHow does the hon. Member know that they know that the inspector is coming?