§ Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Secretary for Mines at how many collieries qualified veterinary surgeons are regularly employed; and what steps his Department has taken in recent years to induce colliery companies who are remiss in this matter to engage qualified veterinary surgeons, particularly where a large number of pit ponies or horses are employed underground?
§ Mr. TURNERI regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. With regard to the second part, it is the invariable practice of His Majesty's inspectors to urge upon colliery managements the desirability of properly qualified veterinary supervision in eases where horses are employed to any considerable extent; and although no precise statistics are available, I have good reason to believe that this advice is being followed in the vast majority of cases.