§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the explosion at Bunker's Hill Colliery, North Staffordshire, on Friday last, by which forty-two lives have been lost, and whether under the circumstances he will direct that several of the other Government Inspectors shall proceed to the colliery to aid, if possible, in discovering the true cause of the disaster? If not Inspectors, whether he will see that some other competent persons shall be sent; and whether he will instruct some eminent counsel to watch the inquiry before the Coroner's Inquest on behalf of the Crown and the people?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, he had already received a report from one of the Inspectors relating to this unfortunate accident. He could not pledge himself to any particular line of inquiry being pursued, but he could assure the hon. Member that the cause of the accident should be fully investigated.
§ MR. MACDONALD, said, he would repeat the Question on Thursday next.