§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines, whether he can provide a complete list of mines at which horses and ponies were not employed below ground at the end of June, 1934?
§ Mr. E. BROWNSuch a list as that desired by the Hon. Member would include over 1,000 mines, and obviously I cannot publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If, however, the hon. Member wishes to have the information, and will speak to me, I can no doubt arrange to furnish him with it.
§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Secretary for Mines the general reasons why the number of horses and ponies employed in mines has been reduced from 73,024 in 1913 to 37,571 in 1934; and whether he anticipates that this rate of reduction will continue?
§ Mr. BROWNThe chief causes of this reduction in the number of horses employed underground are the general reduction in the output of coal and the substitution of mechanical for horse haulage. I anticipate a further reduction from the second cause mentioned, but I would rather not speculate as to the rate at which it is likely to proceed.