§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to a scheme adopted by a group of collieries in Durham whereby young boys intended for the employment of pony-driving below ground are given some preliminary training on the surface of the kind of work they will be required to do; whether he considers this training to be adequate and the example of this group of collieries in this matter likely to be followed; and whether the training scheme is continued below ground before the boys take charge of the ponies?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThis scheme was described and warmly commended by the Chief Inspector of Mines arid Divisional Inspector in their annual reports for 1931, and is shortly to be the subject of discussion by the North of England branch of the National Association of Colliery Managers. The scheme, which, I understand, is supplemented by a month's training underground, is experimental, and it is too soon to express a final opinion as to its adequacy or ultimate results. The company deserves commendation for what is undoubtedly a big step in the right direction, and I sincerely hope the movement will achieve its object and spread throughout the coalfields.