MR. SANDARSgave notice that on Monday he would ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was his intention to institute an inquiry into the frightful loss of life which had recently occurred at Holmfirth, and whether any funds would be made available on behalf of the sufferers?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, he was in a condition to answer the question at once. He had received from the magistrates an account of the appalling calamity to which the hon. Member referred, and they stated that an inquest had been begun on some of the bodies that had been found, and they requested the Government to send a competent engineer to attend the adjourned inquest, and to make previous inquiries as to the cause of the accident; they also stated something as to another reservoir, with respect to which they thought investigation desirable. A gentleman had accordingly been directed to go down and watch the proceedings, and render any assistance to the magistrates that he could. With regard to the last part of the question, he could not hold out hopes of any assistance from the public money; and he trusted that the case would be amply met by public subscriptions.