§ MR. BURT (Morpeth)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- 592 ment, If he has received a communication from the Lancashire Miners' Federation, expressing dissatisfaction that no legal gentleman has been appointed to attend the adjourned inquest connected with the explosion at Leigh Colliery; and, whether, considering the great importance of that inquiry, he will follow the custom which has been usual of late years in serious colliery explosions, and send such a representative to watch the proceedings?
§ THE SECEETAEY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir, I have received such a communication; but I have also received a subsequent letter, in which the Federation express full confidence in the ability of the gentlemen who are conducting the inquiry, a confidence which I fully share. If the inquest should not satisfactorily dispose of all the questions upon which information is important, I will avail myself of the power given by the Act of last Session, and direct an independent inquiry attended by a legal representative.