§ Mr. DUNCANasked the Secretary for Mines what were the conditions under which the ponies were working at the Clay Cross Company's (No. 7) Park-house pit when the horse inspector visited 1957W the pit on 7th January, 1929; how many ponies were declared by the inspector to be unfit to work owing to Bores caused by roofing; what was the condition of the ponies; how many, if any, were destroyed; what action it is proposed to take against those responsible for any cruelty; on what date the inspector of mines visited the pit, following the visit of the horse inspector; has any report been submitted to him; whether the report deals with the condition of the roads in the mine; and whether a copy of such report is obtainable?
§ Commodore KINGThe Inspector of Horses made inspections at this pit on the 3rd, 4th and 5th January, and matters then arising as to the condition of the horses and of the roads have been followed up by this and other inspectors. Full reports have been submitted to me. I have sent the papers to the Director of Public Prosecutions and asked him to take certain proceedings. The matter being thussub judice, I cannot make any further statement at present.