§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on the 20th May, 1889, application was made to Mr. Ronaldson, Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines (Scotland), for permission to examine the fireman's report book at No. 9, Blair Pit Daly, Kilmarnock, belonging to the Eglinton Iron Company; whether such permission was limited to the 16th February, 1889; and, whether there is any provision in "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887, "which justifies such limitation?
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Matthews,) Birmingham, E.Yes, Sir; I am informed that an application was granted, subject to one examination of the report book. As litigation is pending it was considered desirable such further inspection should be obtained by order of the Court rather than by the authority of the Inspector.
§ MR. FENWICKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that General Rule 37 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act provides that on application to this authority permission may be given by the Inspector of Mines?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am aware that there is such a Rule, and in this case the application appears to have been complied with so far as the Inspector considered it desirable.
§ MR. FENWICKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the application was made prior to any notice of litigation having been given, and that being so, can he state why it was refused?
§ * MR. MATTHEWSIt was refused on the ground I have already stated.