§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the answer of Mr. Inspector Moore to 8,159 question of the evidence in the Blantyre Colliery Explosion, which reads as follows:—
I just want to say again that unless a complaint is made to me I have no reason to think that the rules are neglected;and, again—I do not consider it my duty at all to go into a mine to ferret out complaints;whether such a view of the duty of an inspector of mines be in accordance with the directions as to the duties of an inspector of mines by the Secretary of State for the Home Department; and, further, if such views be correct, what is the object of the forty-fifth Clause of the Act relating to coal mines?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, that certainly is not my view of the duties of an Inspector; but I think it hardly fair to take single extracts from the evidence of Mr. Moore, and to found Questions upon them; because, in conversation with that gentleman, I have found no reason to think that he differs in opinion in any way from me as to what the duties of an Inspector really are. I can afford the hon. Gentleman this information—that I have thought it wise to codify the rules that have been laid down from time to time for the guidance of Inspectors. They are not yet quite complete, but as soon as they are I shall be happy to lay them upon the Table of the House, and the hon. Member will then see that this point is especially guarded against.