§ 42. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the introduction of the Meco chock system on the conveyor faces at Calder Collieries, Hargreaves, Limited, Burnley, and that when they are with drawn sparking takes place, and the work men are of opinion that if firedamp is present the sparking will ignite it; and will he have an inspection made of the Meco chock to find out whether it is a danger to mining?
§ The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Mr. Grimston)I have been asked to reply. I am informed that the Meco chock release device is in use on conveyor faces at Calder Colliery and at a number of other collieries throughout the country, and that frictional sparking sometimes results when the chocks are being with- 1880 drawn. The question whether such sparking is capable of igniting firedamp has recently been investigated by the Safety in Mines Research Board, and under the conditions of the experiments so far conducted—which have been very severe—no ignition has occurred.
§ Mr. TinkerDo I understand that this system has been investigated?
§ Mr. GrimstonIt has been investigated.
§ Mr. TinkerIf that is so, could an experiment be carried out with the miners' representative present, to see what is the effect?
§ Mr. GrimstonI will convey that request to my right hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Mr. T. SmithCan the hon. Gentleman say what percentage of gas was used in the experiment?
§ Mr. GrimstonNot without notice.