§ Mr. AYLESasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the recent accidents in mines, he will appoint a Commission to investigate the causes of mine casualties and the most effective methods for their avoidance in use at present in the various countries of the world with a view to their adoption in this country?
§ Mr. TURNERThe Safety in Mines Research Board has the problems of mining disasters continually under review and is supplied with information collected by my Department relating to the latest methods and devices for promoting safety in the principal mining countries of the world. In addition, special arrangements exist for the exchange of information with the mining research authorities in the United States of America and in France, and I hope that these co-operative arrangements will be extended to other countries. In these circumstances a special Commission appears unnecessary.
§ Mr. HOPKINasked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been called to the appeal made by the Miners' Federation to scientists to help solve the problems of mining disasters; and if he is prepared to set up and finance such a committee of experts?
§ Mr. TURNERA body entitled the Safety in Mines Research Board already exists for this purpose. The Board was appointed by the Secretary for Mines in July, 1921, and issues an Annual Report on its work. Its expenses, amounting to over £50,000 a year, are defrayed almost entirely from the Miners' Welfare Fund. I am sending my hon. Friend a list of the members of the Board, which includes many eminent scientists.