§ 18. Mr. E. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether deputies are still allowed to fire shots; if so, what percentage of shots was fired by deputies in the areas of North Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, North Staffordshire, and the percentage for the whole country, respectively, during 1936.
§ Captain CrookshankThe answer to the first part of the question is, Yes. I regret that the information asked for in the second part is not available.
§ Mr. SmithIs the Minister aware of the suggestion made by the Chief Inspector that deputies should not be allowed to fire shots; is he aware that the Chief Inspector deprecated the firing of shots by deputies, and, in view of that fact, could not we have some assurance that his Department will use their influence to prevent that being done?
§ Captain CrookshankAs the hon. Member probably knows, a great deal of evidence has been given on the subject to the Royal Commission. At present the law permits the practice, and any amendment of the law must obviously await the report.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsHas the Minister had a report from the workmen's inspectors who found that one deputy fired 102 shots in a shift; and what is the hon. Gentleman going to do in that case?
§ Captain CrookshankI am afraid I cannot keep all the evidence in mind.
§ Mr. GriffithsHas the hon. Gentleman got it there? That is what I asked.