§ MR. AKROYDsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the case of a girl, twelve years of age, crushed to death in a colliery 1498 near Wigan, and to the evidence given at the inquest; and, whether the girl was employed contrary to the provisions of the Act for the Regulation of Employment in Mines?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, in reply, that his attention had been called to the matter by a private communication from Lord Shaftesbury. He had received a Report of the case from Mr. Higson, the Government Inspector. In his opinion the girl had not been employed contrary to the provisions of the Statute; but the employment of a child of such tender years was very reprehensible. If the hon. Member would move for it, Mr. Higson's Report should be laid on the table.