§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether eight inspectors of pit ponies are sufficient to ensure systematic and frequent examination of the 65,000 ponies employed in 1,880 mines; and whether it is yet possible to replace them to any great extent by mechanical traction?
§ Mr. SHORTTAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by me to the hon. Member for Eastbourne on the 6th March. A daily examination of each horse, on its return from work, by one of the special officials of the mine appointed to have the care of horses is required by the Act, and the result of the examination has to be recorded. It is the duty of the inspectors to see that these and the other requirements of the Act in regard to horses are carried out, and I am satisfied that the number is sufficient for the purpose. As regards the second part of the question, there is, no doubt, room for a considerable replacement of horses by mechanical haulage, and there was an increasing tendency in this direction before the War. This tendency was to some extent arrested by the War, but, notwithstanding, a reduction of over 4,000 horses occurred in 1918, and the process is likely to be accelerated with the return of normal conditions. I understand that the matter is engaging the attention of the Controller of Coal Mines.