HC Deb 30 June 1954 vol 529 cc1389-90

(1) If an inspector is of opinion, with respect to a part of a mine that is by section fifty of this Act required to be ventilated, that, in the interests of the safety or health of the persons employed in that part of the mine, it is necessary or expedient to improve the ventilation produced therein, he may serve upon the manager of the mine a notice specifying that part and stating that he is of opinion aforesaid with respect thereto and requiring either—

  1. (a) that ventilation which, after the expiration of such period beginning with the day on which the notice becomes operative as may be specified therein, is produced in 1390 that part of the mine in pursuance of section fifty of this Act, must conform to such requirements as may be specified in the notice; or
  2. (b) that such works for the purpose of improving the ventilation in that part of the mine as may be specified in the notice shall be executed before the expiration of that period.

(2) The provisions of Part XV of this Act with respect to references upon notices served by inspectors shall apply to a notice served under the foregoing subsection.—[Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

This Clause gives the inspector power to require improvements of ventilation not on any specific ground, but on the basis of his expert opinion as a mining engineer and an inspector. In Standing Committee we came to the conclusion that that was the wise thing to do.

Mr. Blyton

Am I to understand that the Clause gives the inspector power to deal with the excess of humidity which may take place in various cases in the mines and to order improvements in ventilation to abolish it?

Mr. Lloyd

I have received advice, I am glad to say, that in this Clause ventilation includes humidity.

Mr. T. Brown

I think that this Clause is the result of something which was said in Committee when we were discussing excessive heat and excessive humidity. I hope that the Minister will see to that aspect when he draws up the regulations giving the inspectors power to carry out what is intended by this Clause, because the Committee were greatly concerned when we were discussing the question of ventilation. It was on the undertaking of the Minister on that point that we withdrew our pressure at that time. Now we have before us something which I think has gone a long way, subject to the one proviso that the regulations which will govern the application of the clause shall be rigidly drawn up to govern the inspector of mines who is charged with this responsibility.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.