§ MR. STUART-WORTLEY (Sheffield, Hallam)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will be represented by counsel, or by an Inspector, at the in- 1580 quest on the deaths of two youths killed by an explosion of inflammable gas, caused by a. fall of roof which took place on the 11th instant at the Whitwick Colliery in Leicestershire; and, if not, whether, having regard to the importance of limiting in area and destructiveness the consequences of such explosions, he will cause special attention to be given to ascertaining any local causes which happily prevented this explosion from leading to results yet more extensive and disastrous?
§ MR. ASQUITHI am in communication with the Inspector, who has sent me the following telegram:—
I inspected the mine and attended inquest last Monday. Miners' agent and solicitor present. Mine not at work at time of explosion. Two boys killed. Gas liberated by fall of roof. Effects limited in proportion to the quantity of gas which appears to have been ignited. Mine very free from gas and worked with naked lights. Verdict accidental death. Jury refused to recommend use of safety lamps.