§ SIR JOHN SWINBURNE (Staffordshire, Lichfield)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whe- 893 ther the objections to the Special Rules under "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887," which were posted up at the collieries in the Cannock Chase district of South Staffordshire, and which were duly formulated and officially posted in the terms of the Act by the miners of the "Midland Counties Miners' Federation," were received and considered by the Home Office; and, whether the members of the said Federation have any power of further pressing their objections to the said Rules, or amended Rules, which have again been recently posted up in that district?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Certain objections to Special Rules in the Cannock Chase District were received and considered by the Home Office. They did not, however, appear to proceed from the Midland Counties Miners' Federation. With respect to any mine where Special Rules have not been established, it will be open to all persons to press their objections to any proposed Rules. Where Rules have been established, the Secretary of State would not exercise his power of amendment unless strong cause were shown.