§ 2. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Secretary for Mines how many entries were received by the committee set up to conduct the competition for the best automatic detector and illuminant; how many meetings have been held by the committee; and what was the date of the last meeting?
§ Captain CrookshankI am informed by the Mining Association that five meetings of the committee have been held, of which the last took place on 20th October, 1937. The 31 original entries were at that meeting finally reduced to a short list of four, and certain of these competitors were subsequently informed that their detectors must be submitted to the Mines Department for test and approval under the appropriate Regulations, before the committee could proceed further. Tests at the Mines Department Testing Station are now in progress on these detectors.
§ Mr. WilliamsCan we take it from the Minister that all the four detectors are now being tested at the Mines Department?
§ Captain CrookshankI am not quite sure whether all four are, but all four have to be tested under the Board of Trade Regulations, as I have just said. Of course, the hon. Gentleman realises that this was not a committee of the Mines Department but of the Mining Association.
§ Mr. WilliamsWas there not a representative of the Department upon the committee?