§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the Special Report of Her Majesty's Inspector, on the circumstances attending the explosion of fire-damp which took place in the Crumbouke Mine, at Wood End Pits, in Lancashire; and, whether, seeing that that explosion is 1561 proved to have occurred by gas liberated from the strata, "in consequence of props being drawn," he will issue instructions to Her Majesty's Inspectors to prevent, as far as possible, such a dangerous practice, in mines known to contain fire-damp, while the miners are at work?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have seen the Report of the Inspector, and I think that the point raised by the hon. Member is an important one. The Inspectors of Mines will hold their annual meeting next week, and I have asked them to consider whether this matter had better be dealt with by general or by special rule.