HC Deb 04 February 1926 vol 191 cc342-3W
Mr. D. GRENFELL

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to report on the inquiries into the incidence of miners' phthisis among men engaged in rock boring with compressed-air machines in coal mines?

Colonel LANE FOX

The inquiry to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member on 7th July, 1925, has now been completed, and supports the view that in certain rare conditions dry rock drilling may be dangerous. Certain preventive measures have been suggested as a result of the inquiry and the inspectors are dealing with the question of their adoption. Medical inquiry is also proceeding to ascertain whether the disease has in fact been caused in the places where dangerous conditions have been found.