§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the statements that the mine was carried on without a certified manager, and was on fire for a considerable time, made before the coroner's jury on 5th instant, in respect to the management of the Lilly Dale Colliery, Bucknall, North Stafford, where at least seven persons have lost their lives, a report of which appeared in the "Staffordshire Daily Sentinel" on the 6th instant; whether it be correct that the owner was mulcted in fines and costs to the extent of £30 some little time ago; and, further, will he direct some one to attend the inquest, which opens again on 24th instant, to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Home Office, to see that a searching investiga- 405 tion is made into the whole circumstances in connection with the explosion, and the management of the colliery without a certified manager?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT, in reply, said, it was a fact that this mine was carried on without a certified manager. Only 12 men were usually employed, and in those circumstances the mining engineer was allowed to manage the mine himself. It was true that the owner was fined £30 for negligence. The Inspector's Report was so clear that he did not think it would be necessary for anybody to attend the inquest on behalf of the Home Office, except an experienced Inspector.