§ Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Home Secretary whether the periodical inspection of colliery workshops, under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, is now carried out 1066W by inspectors of mines or by factory inspectors, or both; whether he is satisfied that there is no overlapping in the carrying out of the inspection of machinery used in or about mines; and if he can say whether there is any recognised period within which all colliery workshops are inspected and reported upon?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have been asked to reply. The ordinary colliery workshop comes under the Coal Mines Act and is inspected by the inspectors of mines. But the Coal Mines Act excludes from its application coke ovens and certain other premises where manufacturing processes are carried on; these are governed by the Factory Act and are inspected by the inspectors of factories. The inspectors are fully informed of the line of demarcation and I am not aware of any serious overlapping. Colliery workshops are inspected as frequently as it is possible for them to be inspected by the limited staff of inspectors available; there is no definite rule. If the hon. Member will inform me of any specific difficulty or complaint I shall be pleased to make inquiries.