Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887

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Constitution of board for appointing examiners for granting certificates of competency to managers and under-managers.

23.—(1) There shall be two descriptions of certificates of competency under this Act, (i) first-class certificates, that is to say, certificates of fitness to be manager; and (ii) second-class certificates, that is to say, certificates of fitness to be under-manager; but no person shall be entitled to a certificate under this Act unless he shall have had practical experience in a mine for at least five years, [¹ or unless he has received a diploma in scientific and mining training after a course of study of at least two years at any university, university college, mining school, or other educational institution to be approved of by a Secretary of State, or has taken a degree of any university to be so approved of which includes scientific and mining subjects, and has also had practical experience in a mine for at least three years. The approval of the Secretary of State shall be signified in writing under his hand, and may be given subject to such conditions as he may think fit, and may be revoked at any time].

(2) For the purpose of granting in any part of the United Kingdom, to be from time to time defined by an order of a Secretary of State, certificates of competency for the purposes of this Act, examiners shall be appointed by a board consisting of—

(a) Three persons being owners of mines in the said part of the United Kingdom; and

(b) Three persons employed or would have been employed in or about any mine in the said part of the United Kingdom, not being owners agents or managers of a mine; and

(c) Three persons practising as mining engineers agents or managers of mines, or coal viewers in the said part of the United Kingdom; and

(d) One inspector under this Act.

(3) The members of the board shall be appointed and may be removed by a Secretary of State, and shall hold office during his pleasure.

[¹ Words in brackets added by 3 Edw. 7. c. 7, s. 1.]