§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Secretary for Mines how many Ringrose firedamp indicators are now in use in mines since their approval for general use in mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, was made; whether any other firedamp indicators have been approved, and, if so, to what extent in use; and how many indicators would be necessary in the industry before they could be classed as in general use?
§ Mr. TURNERI have not got a precise figure, but according to my information Ringrose firedamp indicators, which are the only approved indicators which are entirely automatic, are, or have been, in use in small numbers at about a dozen collieries, chiefly in Yorkshire. In addition to ordinary flame safety lamps and types of flame safety lamp specially designed for gas testing, two other firedamp indicators have been approved—one is known as the "Gulliford" detector and the other is a combined flame and electric safety lamp. These two types of indicator are being used and tried out at a few collieries—again I cannot state exactly in what numbers. There are several other types of indicator in course of development which have not yet been definitely approved, but experimental trials of which have been made below ground with my sanction. The last part of the question is hypothetical and does not at present arise.