§ Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Secretary for Mines in how many coal mines in each British coalfield steel props are now in use in lieu of timber props; whether the use of steel props indicates any improvement in safety at the coalface and in the conditions of ventilation 1139W at the coal-face; and, if there are definite indications of such improvements, what steps are being taken to popularise the use of steel props in this way?
§ Mr. TURNERI cannot give any definite figures, hut I am glad to say that there is encouraging progress in the use of steel props at the coal-face at a substantial and increasing number of collieries. There is a growing body of evidence that with some conditions of working, though not necessarily with all, the roof can be kept safer and the ventilation less liable to interruption by a systematic and carefully planned use of steel props. The successful results which individual colliery managements have obtained with steel props will, I feel sure, lead others to follow their example; and, in a more general way, further progress in these important developments is being stimulated by the activities of His Majesty's Inspector of Mines, the Safety in Mines Research Board, the Colliery Owners' Research Association, and the Institution of Mining Engineers.