§ MR. ASQUITH moved for leave to introduce a Bill to amand the Coal Mines Regulations Act, 1887. He explained that it was a non-contentious measure, carrying out substantially the recommendations of the Commission presided over by the right hon. Member for West Birmingham. The amendments of the law which the Bill would effect could not be conveniently discussed before the Bill was in print, and therefore he hoped that the House would excuse him from explaining them in detail on the present occasion. The main object of the Bill was to give effect to the recommendation of the Commission that there should be special rules in regard to explosions in mines rendered dangerous by the presence of coal dust and damp. One or two alterations of the general Act were also proposed, the chief change relating to the subject of deductions in connection with the wages of miners.
§ Bill presented and read the first time; to be read a second time upon Monday next, and to be printed. [Bill 194].