§ MR. PICKARDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has had a memorial from the Better Bed miners of the Bowling Coal 390 and Iron Company, Bradford, Yorkshire, praying that the "mineral gotten by them shall be truly and duly weighed in accordance with 'The Mines Act, 1887;'" whether he is aware of the fact that although the men petitioned to have their mineral weighed according to the Mines Act of 1872, such provision was never put into operation, and whether, under the circumstances, he will give immediate instructions that the mineral gotten at this firm shall be "duly and truly" weighed, in accordance with the desire of the workmen and the spirit of the Act of 1887?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have received the memorial referred to, signed by eight of the workmen employed at this colliery. Fourteen years ago a petition to the same effect was presented by the workmen at these collieries, but under the circumstances of that time was not entertained. In accordance with the answer which I gave in this House last week, I propose to inquire into the circumstances of the colliery, and after ascertaining the views of the miners as well as of the owners, I shall be in a position to decide whether I ought to revoke the exemption now in force.