asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has taken further and necessary steps to broaden the basis of experience in the use of safety shot-firing appliances; and whether he is now prepared to advise making compulsory the adoption of some approved safety shot-firing appliance in the coal mines?

Arrangements have been made for an appliance of this kind to be tried throughout a colliery in South Wales, and the result is being watched. A Sub-Committee of the Safety in Mines Research Board has been appointed to advise on technical appliances generally and I am expecting their Report on this appliance. Otherwise, I have nothing yet to add to the answer I gave on the 15th June to a question asked by the hon. Member for Spennymoor.