§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the Secretary for Mines whether any of the men who lost their lives in the pit-shaft disaster at Bilsthorpe Colliery were wearing any type of safety belt; and, if not, whether the Government will conduct a special inquiry into the possibility of the compulsory use of safety devices in work of this character?
§ Colonel LANE FOXAt the moment of the accident, no work necessitating the use of safety belts was in progress. None was in use, and no lives could have been saved by them. All but two of the men were either working at the bottom of the shaft or riding down in the hoppit. But safety belts were provided, and I am informed were used whenever necessary to prevent danger. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.