§ 41. Mr. SEXTONasked the Secretary for Mines the number of inspections of coal mines by His Majesty's inspectors of mines that have been made without notice to the owners of the mines during 1934 and 1935, respectively?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe total number of inspections at mines under the Coal Mines Act was 23,167 in 1934 and 22,845 in 1935. All these inspections were made without notice, except in the comparatively few cases when it was essential 1048 to the purpose of the visit that the inspector should see some particular person or persons.
§ 58. Mr. WATSONasked the Secretary for Mines whether the privacy of communications between miners and mines inspectors is always observed; and whether any exceptions to this rule have been brought to his notice?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes," and to the second part "No."
§ Mr. WATSONIf sent the hon. and gallant Gentleman a case, will he consider it?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI certainly will, but I did have one case brought to my notice, and the allegation was completely unfounded. I do not know whether it is the same case, but I shall be glad to look into it.