§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If the Mines Inspectors have tendered to him their individual and collective 221 opinions on the subject of using Blasting Powder in firing Mines; whether he is about to take any action on the Recommendations of the Reports; and, whether he will lay the Reports upon the Table of the House?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he had taken the opinions of the Mines Inspectors, individually and collectively, on the use of blasting powder in mines. The individual opinions were asked for and received as confidential communications; but, having received them, he thought it right that the Inspectors should be called together to consider the matter and make a collective Report, which was a formal document. He had no objection to lay it on the Table of the House, if the hon. Member would move for it. It had been in his hands but a very short time, and the Government were not prepared, without further consideration, to say whether they would take any action upon it.