§ Mr. GAVAN DUFFYasked the Secretary for Mines if he can state if dry rock-drills are now in use in several iron-ore mines in West Cumberland; if he is aware that the use of dry drills is condemned by mining and medical experts as being detrimental to the health of the men who use them; and if, in these cir- 524W cumstances, he will call for an inquiry into the matter, or at once compel the use of centra-bored spray water-drills, which are supposed to be innocuous?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOX:Dry rock-drills are being used in iron-ore mines in West Cumberland. A medical enquiry as to the effect of the dust on the health of the workers was made in 1919, and it did not disclose any such ill-effects as would call for official action. I will, however, take the views of my Medical Committee on Occupational Diseases on the subject, and inform the hon. Member of the result.
§ Mr. DUFFYasked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the name of the inspector who is now mainly performing the duties previously carried out. by the ex-senior inspector of metalliferous mines in West Cumberland, and who assisted him for nine years; and will he ascertain particulars of the training of this inspector in the hematite iron-ore mines, and give the name of the iron-ore mine or mines in which such training was received?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOX:The inspector is Mr. G. Cook. He had no training in hematite iron-ore mines before he joined the inspectorate, but, as I have informed the hon. Member, he has had nine years' experience of them as an inspector.