§ Mr. ARTHUR LAWasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the breaches of the Eight Hours Act which are continually taking place on the coal-cutting machine faces at collieries in the Rossendale Valley, Accrington, and Burnley coalfields, Lancashire; and will he cause an inquiry to be made into this matter and see that the circular sent to all colliery proprietors from the Mines Department on 19th December, 1929, is strictly adhered to?
§ Mr. TURNERMy circular of 11th December, which is presumably the one to which my hon. Friend refers, called the special attention of colliery owners to the necessity of strict observance of the law, and instructions have been given to the divisional inspectors to watch this matter closely and report breaches of the Act to me. I shall not hesitate to prosecute in all suitable cases. If my hon. Friend will bring to the notice of the divisional inspector any specific cases which he has in mind, they will be investigated.