§ Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if his attention has been drawn to an experiment carried out at a Midlothian colliery in the use of coloured enamel plates in refuge holes on an underground haulage road in order to find out the colour made more readily visible in the light of electric safety lamps; what further experiments have been carried out to confirm that a shade of green, known as Light Brunswick, stands out best in these conditions; and whether he will make regulations to ensure that where paint has to be used below ground, this colour is employed.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI am aware of this experiment, to which publicity was given by H.M. Divisional Inspector of Mines for the Scottish Division in his annual report for 1950. I am informed that some further limited experiments on the use of paint of this colour have been carried out in Scotland, but with varying success. The law requires refuge holes to be made readily visible by whitewash or otherwise, and many places below ground have to be kept white for the sake of good general lighting. I see no justification at present for requiring the use of a specified colour for these or similar purposes in mines.