§ MR. BURT (Morpeth)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the case of William Shaw, 1335 fireman at the Park Mine, Taend Vale Colliery, Skelmersdale, who reported having found gas in a collier's working place on the 12th of June, and in consequence of that report shot firing was discontinued; whether it is true that a few days afterwards the fireman was discharged from his employment without any reason having been assigned for his dismissal; whether the Inspector of Mines found on examining the Report Book that the Report made by Mr. Shaw had been partly erased; and, whether, considering that the workmen believe the fireman lost his employment on account of his having reported the finding of gas, he will inquire into the subject, as well as into the alleged erasure from the Report Book?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have received a letter from the Lancashire Miners' Federation, and also a Report from the Inspector, who informs me that he has made careful inquiry into this matter. The facts appear to be practically as stated in the Question, except that the reason assigned for the dismissal of the fireman was that he had used bad language and did not obey orders. The Inspector tells me that he found it very difficult to get at all the facts with certainty; but, in view of the serious allegations made against the managers of the mine, I have ordered him to prosecute his inquiries further, and if it can be established that there has been any infraction of the Statute, or of the special rules, proceedings will be instituted.