§ Lord E. PERCYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the number of classes in elementary schools which are in charge of male and female teachers, respectively, distinguishing boys', girls', and mixed 2426W I regret that I have no information as to the hiring of horses at collieries.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines if records are available showing the number of shifts worked per day and per week by horses and ponies employed underground in mines since 1909; and whether, as the hours and shifts during which men and boys are allowed to work below ground have been limited from time to time, it is proposed to limit the working hours or shifts of the horses, in view of the fact that most of the horses always remain below ground?
Mr. BROWNNo records are available which would enable me to answer the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the Coal Mines Act, 1911, provides against excessive hours by the requirement that no horse shall be worked in an unfit condition, and, as I am satisfied from extensive inquiries that this requirement is properly observed, I do not consider it necessary to fix any uniform limit on the working hours of horses in mines.