HC Deb 27 April 1893 vol 11 cc1297-8
MR. A. C. MORTON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that another accident has occurred at the New Battle Collieries, Midlothian, resulting in the death of James Lynch, who was boiled or steamed to death while cleaning out a boiler, there being no person in charge of the boiler at the time he was doing this dangerous work; whether Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines has reported on this accident; and whether it is proposed to take any steps to prevent such accidents in the future?

MR. ASQUITH

I have made inquiry, and find from the Report of Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines that the accident was due to the deceased omitting to take the ordinary precaution of warning the men in charge of the boilers that he was going to enter them. There was no question as to there being a defect of any kind either in the boilers or their fittings. I do not see any reason for directing a special inquiry into the case.