§ Mr. WADSWORTHasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. Hudspeth, junior inspector of mines, visited the Wharncliffe Silkstone Collieries on 26th November last, after an explosion had taken place, and examined the clothing of some of the men for matches, etc., in the men's absence; and whether, in view of the provisions of Section 35, Sub-section (3), of the Coal Mines, 1911, and of the powers and duties conferred upon inspectors of mines by Section 98, Sub-section (1) (i.), (ii.), (iii.), and (iv.), he proposes to take any steps to prevent such action being taken in the future?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHMy right hon. Friend is informed that the inspector, in the course of his inspection on the occasion mentioned, found that the management of the mine were not complying with the requirement of the Act as to searching of men before commencement of work, and 2095W in view of this he examined in the presence of the manager and under-manager some of the men's coats which were hanging on the side of the road. Section 98 of the Act gives the inspector power to examine all matters or things relating to the safety of the men below ground, and in view of the importance of the matter the Secretary of State would not feel justified in laying down a rule that an inspector should in no circumstances examine clothing found below ground. It is a power, however, which would only require to be used on rare occasions, and should always be exercised, if possible, in the presence of representatives of the men. The inspectors are being instructed accordingly.
§ Mr. WADSWORTHasked whether the Home Secretary is aware that at some large collieries where safety lamps are used each lamp is numbered and each man has a lamp of his own; whether he will provide, in pursuance of Section 86 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, when dealing with safety lamps, that all such lamps shall be numbered, and each man working in the mine shall be supplied each day with his own lamp when it is in proper condition, and, if he is given another lamp other than his own, the number of the lamp and the date shall be recorded in a book kept at the mine for that purpose?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHMy right hon. Friend is aware that the arrangement mentioned is adopted at a number of collieries. The Act of last Session, while providing that a record shall be kept at the mine of the men to whom the several lamps are given out, does not require that every man shall always have the same lamp; and the Secretary of State is advised that, though the arrangement is question is perhaps the most satisfactory way of carrying out the requirement in the Act, a case could hardly be made out on grounds of safety for rendering its adoption compulsory.