§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If it be correct that Mr. Ralph Moore, 1525 Inspector of Mines for the Eastern district of Scotland, reported to him the following things in regard to the inundation of the Home Farm Colliery:—
The inundation was wholly unexpected and unforeseen:That the mines of Messrs. Hamilton and McCulloch were well conducted:That the relatives of the four deceased persons who lost their lives by the inundation were satisfied that the bodies should remain in the mine;whether it be true that Mr. Moore, when under examination before Mr. Dickenson, Inspector of Mines, on the 29th ult. admitted that if he had known what the witnesses stated as to sand and gravel being seen in large quantities among the water, that he would have been alarmed, and that he would have withdrawn the workmen from the mine; whether it be true that he admitted he really from his own knowledge knew nothing of the mine, as he had not been in it for over twelve months; whether he further admitted in his examination that he made the report about the relatives being satisfied without even consulting them directly on the subject in any way; whether it is a fact that the inspector did not visit the mine or enter it for over twelve months; and, if he is satisfied with the conduct of the Inspector in the discharge of the duties imposed on him by "The Mines Act, 1872?"
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, that Mr. B. Moore had reported that the inundation was wholly unexpected and unforeseen. He formed this opinion from a careful consideration of all the circumstances of the case. The mines of Messrs. Hamilton and M'Culloch were well conducted. The Inspector had not himself been in this particular mine for 12 months, but the assistant Inspector had been.