§ 70. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the increase in the use of explosives per 1,000 tons of coal produced over the past 20 years; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the relation between the increased use of explosives in coal getting and the increased incidence of silicosis and pneumoconiosis.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksRather more than 100 per cent. With the purpose of correcting this trend, investigations of alternative methods of coal getting are being vigorously pursued by my Department and the National Coal Board. In particular, the Board's "Twenty-pit scheme" is already taking account of shot-firing among other causes of dust production, and I do not think there would be any advantage in having a separate inquiry as proposed.