§ MR. NEWDEGATEasked, Whether the Government would have any objection to lay on the Table a Return show- 1032 ing the number of collieries which, during the last six months, had been partially or wholly interrupted in their workings by inundations, resulting from the extraordinary wet season they had passed through?
MR. BRUCE,in reply, said, that from inquiries made of the Inspectors he had found that, with the exception of one district, there had been no unusual quantity of water in the collieries. In South Staffordshire, the district he had referred to, the increase was due entirely to the absence of sufficient pumping power. To supply the Returns asked for would materially interfere with the ordinary duties of the Inspectors, and he presumed that under those circumstances the hon. Member would not desire they should be furnished.