§ 26. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is satisfied that 1865 the regulations and orders made under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, dealing with shot-firing are fully carried out in all mines?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)No, Sir, but I am satisfied that there is seldom any wilful contravention. The number of accidents is not high in proportion to the large amount of shot-firing done, but so long as any accidents occur efforts to prevent them must be continued. The problem of still further minimising the risks is one of those at present engaging the attention of the Royal Commission on Safety in Coal Mines.
§ 27. Mr. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has given consideration to the interim report prepared by the committee of the Institution of Mining Engineers on shot-firing and its alternatives; and does he propose to take any action?
§ Captain CrookshankThis report—an ad interim one—is largely a summary of information already published or relating to lines of inquiry or development which are already being followed. It does not point to any new line of action that I could usefully take.
§ Mr. SmithHave the Mines Department considered recommending the use of coal bursters in preference to other methods?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not think that question arises out of this report.