asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is prepared to organise a safety week throughout the coalfields so that accidents to boys might be minimised in future?

I am in sympathy with the proposal but I fear it would be premature for my Department and the industry to attempt so big a piece of organisation on a national scale without experience, at present lacking, on a local or district scale. I understand that a proposal of the kind is under consideration in Durham and with the cooperation of all parties concerned I should be glad to give all the help in my power.

asked the Secretary for Mines at what number of collieries surface boys are trained in the principles of safety?

During the last session of the safety classes a total of nearly 14,000 boys were enrolled and over 7,000 of them obtained badges or certificates. Separate figures in respect of boys employed on the surface or of other forms of safety training are not available.