§ MR. SIDEBOTTOMasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been directed to the frequency of explosions and serious accidents in coal mines, and if he has considered whether "any fresh regulations can be laid down by which some further guarantees may be obtained that all due 675 precautions shall be taken against accidents, and that the very large sum of money expended on the inspection of mines shall bear the fruit it ought to bear," in accordance with his promise made July 27th 1874?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS, in reply, said, the frequency of explosions and accidents in coal mines was a matter about which he felt very much interested, and last year he referred it to the Inspectors of Mines and to Inspectors generally at their annual meeting; but, unfortunately, there was a great difference of opinion among them. The matter had not, in the meantime, been lost sight of by him. He had referred this question to them at the meeting held that day, and he hoped to receive their report to-morrow, and to be able in a very short time to do something which might tend to prevent these explosions and accidents.