§ COLONEL BLUNDELLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Why no Report has as yet been presented by the Royal Commission, appointed in 1879—
For the purpose of inquiring and reporting whether, with respect to the influence of fluctuations of atmospheric pressure upon the issue of firedamp from coal, to the adoption of trustworthy indications of the presence of firedamp, and generally to modes of systematic observation of the air in mines; to improved methods of ventilation and illumination; to employment of explosive agents in the getting of minerals; and to other particulars relating to mines and mining operations, the resources of science furnish any practicable expedients that are not now in use, and are calculated to prevent the occurrence of accidents or limit their disastrous consequences;and, how soon the Commissioners may be depended upon to present their Report?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CHILDERS),in reply, said, he had made careful inquiry as to the delay in the production of this Report. He was assured by the Chairman of the Commission that the delay had been inevitable, as the experiments on safer methods of blasting had been too important to be hurried over. The Commission was now sitting three days a-week, and hoped to have their Report ready by the end of the month.