§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to an accident which occurred at the Cwm Avon Colliery, South Wales, whereby six men were killed by the breaking of a wire rope, which was stated to have been at work for five years; whether it is true that the Inspector of Mines stated at the Coroner's Inquest that it ought to have been removed years ago, and that the engineer stated that he had frequently complained of the condition of the rope during the last two years, but no notice was taken of his complaints; and, what steps he has taken, if any, to punish the employer or agent who continued to use a rope of the character indicated by the engineer and the Government inspector?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, no doubt there had been gross carelessness and negligence in this case, and he had some days ago placed the paper in the hands of the Solicitor to the Treasury, in order to see what course should be taken.