§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been directed to the Report of the Bunker's Hill Colliery Explosion, published on Wednesday the 9th of June, where it is stated the only reason for "the change from wedging to blasting in that colliery was to increase production and lessen cost;" and, whether he will, on the part of Her Majesty's Government, bring in a Bill this Session for the suppression of the use of blasting powder in mines; or, if the use is to be continued, to regulate it so as to prevent risk to human life?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, that his attention had been called to the Report of the Inspector of Collieries on the Bunker's Hill Explosion. It was not, however, the intention of the Government to bring in any measure such as that alluded to in the Question of the hon. Gentleman. Such a measure would, he believed, be acceptable neither to the colliery owners nor to the workmen. Certain powers were, however, already given by the Mines Regulation Act, which would enable rules to be framed for the purpose of regulating the use of the powder, and it might be wise to adopt the suggestion which was acted upon in many places—that the blasting of mines, when dangerous, should be carried on between shifts, so that the amount of danger might be reduced to a minimum. The subject was at the present moment under the consideration of the whole body of Inspectors, and he hoped before long to receive their joint recommendation with respect to it.