§ Mr. CAPEasked the Secretary for Mines whether his Department made arrangements with the Whitehaven Colliery Company for the re-opening of the area that was sealed off in the Haig Pit after the explosion on 13th February, 1928?
§ Mr. TURNERIn May last the company submitted to my Department a provisional scheme for the gradual opening-up of the sealed area under an elaborate1284W system of safeguards. My technical advisers saw no reason on grounds of safety to raise objection to this scheme, which it was proposed to carry out by specially trained men wearing breathing apparatus, and the co-operation of the Department was promised in connection with their training. No action has been taken beyond the carrying out of this preliminary training, and no further action is contemplated until the matter has been fully discussed with the workmen's representatives.