§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department. "Whether, considering that the loss of life is very frequent from the present mode of using blasting powder in mines (as at Kiveton Park, South Yorkshire, a few days ago, where a serious loss of life took place), he will issue an order calling upon the inspectors to direct the attention of colliery proprietors and mine owners of fiery mines, where explosives are used for the purpose of carrying on the works, that they should he used only when the large body of the workmen are not in the mines; and, further, whether, in view of the fact that it must he a considerable time before action can be taken, as Mated by the Department on Tuesday last, he will direct the inspectors where they may deem it necessary to enforce, if possible, the use of explosives in the way referred to, by having recourse to arbitration, as per statute, with the owners on the subject?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT,in reply, said that he had received a Report from Mr. Dickinson, one of the principal Inspectors of mines, dated the 28th May, in which he said that there was no doubt that in many instances lives had been lost from the improper use of explosives in mines, and that the danger might have been minimized by the withdrawal of the ordinary workmen during the time that explosives were being used. He would see that the view stated by Mr. Dickinson as to the withdrawal of the workmen while explosives were being used in all mines where it was un-safe was acted on. It was not necessary he thought, to take any other precautions.