THERE is an interesting angle on the vexed question of women freeminers. According to the new Equality Act 2010, exceptions to the law on discrimination include 'a protected characteristic' where if they want to employ somebody on an equal rights basis or if a person wishes to join a self-employment organisation which meant that they were breaking another law, they must be rejected on that basis.
The 1838 Mines Act specifies that all freeminers must be male and it is still illegal to employ a female to work underground in any mining capacity.
Surely only repeal or changes by Parliament of both laws could facilitate the registration of a woman as a freeminer? – John Belcher, Joyford.
PS:This is not necessarily my own opinion.