§ MR. CRAWFORD (Lanark, N.B.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to several recent cases in Lanarkshire, in which Section 13 of "The Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887," empowering the men to appoint their own checkweigher, has been evaded by the refusal of owners to accept the man chosen by the workmen, though of good character, and by their threatening to close the pits if his election was adhered to; whether he is aware that it has been held by the Court of Session that such action on the part of owners is not a contravention of the Act or otherwise illegal; and whether he will re-consider his refusal to receive a deputation of two miners, to explain the circumstances of these cases, with a view to an amendment of the law?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am aware of the facts stated in the first two paragraphs, and have had the circumstances of the case under the careful consideration of the Inspectors and of myself. It did not appear to me likely that any further explanation of the circumstances could be given by a deputation of the miners. If the hon. Member thinks otherwise, I will not object to receive a deputation of two of them.