asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will take steps to ensure that all workers in the coal mines who work underground are fully trained in the use of all up-to-date safety appliances before they are allowed to undertake such work.

The Training Regulations of 1945 provide that no person shall be employed in any coal mine on any work of which he has had no previous experience until he has been adequately trained and is competent to do the work without supervision. There are detailed provisions about the amount and kind of training to be given to persons before being employed underground. Such training has to be particularly directed to the practice of safe methods and the use of the appropriate safety appliances.