HC Deb 01 July 1954 vol 529 cc1590-1
Mr. Joynson-Hicks

I beg to move, in page 43, to leave out lines 1 to 7, and to insert: ,shall make provision for requiring that, where the amount of inflammable gas in the general body of the air in a part of a mine below ground exceeds such percentage by volume (which shall not exceed one and a quarter) as may be prescribed, the supply of electricity to all apparatus in that part of the mine (other than such apparatus as may be prescribed, being apparatus as to which the Minister is satisfied that the continued use thereof will not involve undue risk), shall be cut off, and may make provision for requiring the cutting off, in such circumstances, other than as aforesaid, as may be prescribed, of the supply of electricity to apparatus below ground in a mine. This Amendment implements an undertaking given by my right hon. Friend in Committee to provide in the Bill itself that the regulations shall not fix a higher figure than 1¼ per cent. as the percentage of inflammable gas in the general body of the air. The regulations will say that if such a percentage is exceeded, the electricity must automatically be cut off. This Amendment gives effect to that undertaking.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

I beg to move, in page 43, line 8, to leave out "or a part of a mine."

This Amendment and the four following Amendments are all of a drafting character, but they clarify the Clause and also emphasise the fact that the inspector's powers for the prohibition and restriction of the use of electricity in these circumstances are in relation to its use underground. Substantially, they are drafting Amendments.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 43, line 8, leave out "or part of a mine."

In line 9, leave out "in that mine or part," and insert: below ground therein or in any part thereat below ground.

In line 12, leave out from "opinion." to "and," in line 13.

In line 15, after "electricity," insert "below ground."

In line 15, after "or," insert "in."

In line 17, leave out from beginning, to "shall," in line 18, and insert: The provisions of Part XV of this Act with respect to references upon notices served by Inspectors shall apply to a notice served under this subsection and any such notice."—[Mr. Joynson-Hicks.]