§ Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the quarterly report of Her Majesty's Inspector of the Philadelphia and District Mines Inspection Board that some long haulage roads were in such bad condition that small ponies were found with fully-loaded tubs of coal struggling through mud and water in which they could hardly drag their feet; when this matter was reported; why it was not reported earlier; and what steps have been taken to improve the conditions.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe inspector referred to is not one of Her Majesty's Inspectors, but a workmen's inspector appointed under S.16 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, which requires copies of his reports to be sent to H.M. Inspector for the division. None of the206W reports so sent contains any reference to the matters mentioned by the hon. Member.