§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the following letter addressed to a correspondent of The Sunday Chronicle (Manchester), and published in that newspaper on the 20th of November last:—
§ "60, New Street, Darlaston, Nov. 17.
§ "My dear Sir,—On Tuesday last a flint gunlock filer, named Joseph Adams, in Darlaston, had worked all day without food, which was due to the following circumstance. It is customary for the men to take home each night the locks made during the day, and get the money for them so as to buy provisions for the next day. Thus when a workman has nothing to do for one day he has to work without food the next. Adams could average 1s. per day of 14 to 16 hours; but he was, unfortunately, without work on Monday, and had had to live through Sunday. After working all day on Tuesday without food as described he went home, and before a little refreshment could be provided he sat down and died.
§ "I am, sincerely yours,
§ "RICHARD JUGGINS."
§ Whether any inquest was held in this case; and, whether he will cause an inquiry to be made?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed by the Chief Constable of Staffordshire that this man died more than a year ago. He was attended by a doctor, who certified the cause of death to be anæmia. Consequently, no inquest was held. He had been ill for some time, and it was in consequence of his lilness that he was unable to do a good day's work. There was always work for him to do when he was able to do it, and he could earn from 12s. to 14s. a-week at his trade.