§ Mr. EDWARDSasked the Secretary for Mines whether the Committee set up to inquire into the cause of accidents, especially that of accidents caused by shot firing, has yet met; whether evidence has been taken from people engaged in the industry, and when their Report will be forthcoming; and whether, seeing that the last explosion in Cumberland was caused by shot firing, he has issued or intends to issue instructions making it compulsory to use some safety appliance?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXA committee of scientists was set up by my predecessor about two months ago—at the instance of the Safely in Mines Research Board—to carry out experimental work as to the prevention of the ignition of gas and coal dust by shot-firing, but there is no committee sitting or taking evidence in regard to the causes of accidents generally. Precautions against the risk of shot-firing causing an explosion are already compulsory, and I hope the committee's researches will show how the risks may be further reduced. There is no effective safety appliance for this purpose at present, so far as I am aware.