FIREMEN AND DEPUTIES.

HC Deb 24 November 1936 vol 318 c205

16. Mr. TINKER

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he will take steps to satisfy the growing feeling among mineworkers that it would lead to greater safety if the firemen and deputies were under direct control of the Mines Department and their whole time devoted to examination of the districts under their charge

Captain CROOKSHANK

I have nothing to add at the present time to the reply which I gave on 17th March to the late Member for Clay Cross.

Mr. TINKER

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that expenses have been cut down by 50 per cent. under the direct control of the colliery owners and that unbiased opinion is that under Government control there would be much greater safety?

Captain CROOKSHANK

The hon. Member has just said that it is a matter of opinion and he is, of course, aware that there is a Royal Commission dealing with these problems and that evidence on this point has already been laid before them.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is no longer a matter of opinion but a matter of knowledge?