§ MR. H. B. SHERIDANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has caused inquiry to be made into the circumstances connected with the death of three men named re- 920 spectively, Benjamin Homer, Charles Wheelwright, and William Clayton, who were sent into No. 2, Saltwell's Colliery Coal Pit, to work under coal that had been cut on the 21st of August 1872, after the manager of each pit had been told that it was not safe for the men to work in the particular place in which they were sent to work: and; if such inquiry has been held, if he will state when such inquiry was held, and by whom; and, whether he has any objection to lay a Copy of the Report made to him, with reference to such inquiry, upon the Table of the House?
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON,in reply, said, that at the time of the inquest an official inquiry was made into the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member. Mr. Baker, the inspector, reported that it was utterly impossible to decide who was to blame for the accident owing to the conflicting statements of the workmen on the one hand and the deputy on the other. The hon. Member could have an opportunity of reading the Report at the Home Office.