§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that it is a breach of Section 3 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and the Explosives in Coal Mines Order, 1913, for anyone except the manager and under-manager to issue and sign permits for shot firers as defined in Clause 7 of the above Order, and in view of the fact that at some collieries two or three under-managers perform these duties, he will take steps to ensure that only the persons authorised as above shall function in this capacity?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI have been asked to reply. I am advised that the Coal Mines Act does not preclude the appointment of more than one under-manager for a mine, and that the arrangement described in the question is therefore not in itself illegal. I shall be glad to inquire into any case brought to my notice where it is suggested that the firing of shots on main haulage roads and airways is not adequately safeguarded.