THE COAL MINES SAFETY (STOWING) AMENDMENT BILL 147
by a new clause which is 10-A, and it gives power to the Board to undertake the stowing and also to have the power to enter upon the premises.
The Bill is a very simple measure and I do not think it needs any more explanation than I have given. It is a non-controversial measure and I hope the House will accept it.
Sir, I move.
The Honourable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Sir, I move :
“That the Bill be passed.”
I should like to take this opportunity to explain the point of view of Government with regard to certain points that have been raised by my Honourable friends. With regard to the point made by my Honourable friend, Mr. Miller, that Government have been getting into the habit of pulling forth these Bills without sufficient notice what I should like to say is this. It is of course not possible for me, speaking individually, to bind Government as to the precise sort of action that Government ought to take with regard to these Bills. But with regard to the present measure I should like to say that I do not think that Government can be accused of being in a position of rushing the Bill through. I would remind the Honourable Member that this Bill has been under consideration for not less than six months. Secondly, and this is an important point, I would like the Honourable Member to bear in mind the Bill, as put forth, has been suggested, in fact practically drafted, by the Slowing Board itself, and Slowing Board, as the honourable Member will remember, is the most representative body that can be found to be connected with the coal mining industry. And, therefore, I certainly do not think that I should be criticised, so far as this particular measure is concerned, for having rushed through the Bill.
With regard to his other point, namely, that this measure will be used and put into action only whenever there is an emergency arising and not otherwise, I am quite prepared to give him that assurance. In fact, it is our intention to confine the powers which we are now giving to the Board to emergencies only.
With regard to the point made by my Honourable friend, Dr. Zia Uddin, who is not here at present, I did not quite appreciate what he