§ MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the case mentioned by him on May 10, as throwing doubt on the application of Clause 12 of "The Coal Mines, &c. Regulation Act, 1887," has yet been decided; and, whether he now holds that this Weighing Clause is universally and unconditionally operative, except as specified in the Act of 1887?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said, that this case had not yet been decided. Questions had arisen with the solicitors engaged as to the terms of the draft case. Pending the decision, he was precluded from giving an opinion.
§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked whether this case had not been under consideration for nine months?
§ MR. MATTHEWSagreed that it was a long time for a case to be pending; but it was not the fault of the Treasury.