§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the practice adopted in coal mines in Canada of attaching electric storage battery lamps to the bottom of the collars of horses employed in such mines for the purpose of enabling such 730W horses to see the roadways more easily, and consequently avoid accidents; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a circular to colliery proprietors advocating the use of such lamps in coal mines in this country?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. One or two mines in this country have tried the effect of providing some of the horses with lights, but there is not sufficient evidence yet to enable me to judge whether such provision would be advantageous and practicable generally. I am endeavouring to arrange for further trials and experiments, and if, as a result, I can make any general recommendations in the matter, I will do so.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider the desirability of publishing in pamphlet form the lecture recently given, on the instructions of his Department, by Mr. R. L. Layfield, one of His Majesty's horse inspectors in mines, relating to the care and welfare of horses and other animals employed in coal mines, and of causing such pamphlets to be circulated amongst mining men throughout the country?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThis lecture is only one of a series of lectures given by the inspectors of horses, each framed with special regard to conditions in different coalfields and from the inspector's intimate knowledge of those particular conditions. I am doubtful if any one of these lectures, in pamphlet form, would be altogether suitable for circulation throughout the country, but I have under consideration the preparation of a more general pamphlet for the purpose.