§ 34. Captain DOWERasked the Secretary for Mines what rate of increase has there been over the last five years in the coal pits of Great Britain in the use of steel rather than timber props, bars, arches, and other coalpit requirement; and what is the estimated increase in the rate for the next five and 10 years?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe increase in the use of steel supports has been very substantial but the available information, which has been published in the reports of His Majesty's inspectors, is not sufficient to enable any general statistical comparisons to be made, having regard 1517 to the many factors involved. Information as to the increased use of steel for other pit purposes is not available. As regards the last part of the question, I do not consider it possible to make any reliable estimates.