§ Mr. L. SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of pilots employed, respectively, by the British, French, German, Italian and Dutch air transport companies, and how the passengers carried per pilot compare for any recent and similar period?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe following table gives the latest information available on this subject.
people of the South Wales coalfield, the suggestions made in the recent annual reports of the two divisional inspectors in that area; and whether he will include in such a pamphlet the 10 points dealing 1145W with the proper care and general welfare of the horses used underground, enumerated in the 1929 report of the Cardiff divisional inspector?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThese suggestions have already recently been published in the reports mentioned, expressly for the guidance of mining people in South Wales, and I doubt whether the results of a second official publication would justify the expense during this period of strict public economy.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of horses and ponies employed in mines over the ages of 14, 16, 18, and 20 years; and whether he will take steps to bring out of the mines the aged horses that are so described in recent reports of some divisional inspectors?
§ Mr. BROWNI regret that the figures asked for are not available. The present regulations prohibit the employment of horses, whatever their age may be, immediately they become unfit for their work, and I repeat the statement made in the last Annual Report of the Secretary for Mines, and based on the results of a special investigation of the condition of some 18,000 horses, that, except in a very few cases, special care and consideration are shown in respect of the older horses. In those few exceptional cases prompt remedial action has already been taken by His Majesty's inspectors, and the matter will continue to receive their close attention.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines whether the examinations for the obtaining of the first and second-class mine managers' certificates include a test of knowledge in regard to the use of horses and ponies in the special conditions in which they are employed below ground; whether this test includes some measure of the candidates' veterinary knowledge, as well as that relating to the proper care and general welfare of horses and ponies; and whether, if not, he will take steps to include such tests in all future examinations for these certificates
§ Mr. BROWNThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, I see no need for requiring prospective mine managers to pass tests in veterinary science. The1146W duty of the manager is one of general supervision of competent horsekeepers and others immediately responsible for the care and treatment of the horses; and it is the common practice of mine owners to employ consulting veterinary surgeons to guide them and the manager in matters requiring expert veterinary knowledge.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of underground stables, and the number of mines, in the Swansea, Cardiff, Northern, Yorkshire, Midland and Southern and North Midland Divisions, at which bedding is provided regularly for the horses and ponies; and the kinds of bedding used in these divisions?
§ Mr. BROWNNo statistical information is available, but it is the general practice both in the districts named and throughout the country to use sawdust, moss litter, or some similar material in underground stables.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of underground stables, and the number of mines at which they are electrically lighted; whether there are serious technical difficulties in the way of electrically lighting all underground stables, if only to ensure the proper shoeing of the animals; and the number of mines and underground stables where automatic drinking bowls have been installed in the stables or in the working districts to ensure a supply of fresh drinking water always for the animals
§ Mr. BROWNThe Coal Mines Act, 1911, requires that all horses shall be housed, when not at work, in properly constructed stables and shall be provided daily, both in stables and while at work, with a sufficient supply of pure water. The administration of those requirements receives the daily attention of His Majesty's inspectors, and I am satisfied that in general they are very well carried out; but I cannot say in how many cases the stables are lighted electrically or the drinking bowls are automatic. In those mines in which electric power is available in the vicinity of the stables there should not normally be much difficulty in the way of lighting the stables electrically; and it is certainly desirable that electric lighting should be provided wherever it is safe and practicable to do so.