§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines the total number of ponies and horses employed below ground at the end of June, 1934; and the percentage rate in the reduction of the number of horses used underground for each year since 1924.
§ Mr. E. BROWNParticulars in respect of horses employed below ground at 30th June, 1934, are not yet available. For the years 1924 to 1933 they are as follow:—
Date. Number of horses on colliery books. Percentage increase (+) or decrease (—) as compared with previous year. 31st December: 1924 65,210 — 1925 60,852 -7 1926 56,762 -7 1927 56,758 Nil. 1928 50,405 -11 30th June: 1929 50,823 +1 1930 49,243 -3 1931 44,581 -9 1932 41,764 -6 1933 39,916 -4