§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYin moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Coal Mines Regulation Act (1887), said that he might fairly describe this Bill as a non-contentious Measure. ["Hear, hear!"] It was based upon the provisions of the Bill of last year, and the Government had had the advantage of hearing the criticisms of both employers and workmen upon that Measure. The Bill only contained eight clauses. Its main object was to provide for increased safety in fiery and dusty mines, and it gave power to the Secretary of State to impose special regulations with regard to various points which he need not then enumerate to the House. It also made various provisions with reference to complaints of masters and workmen in regard to the check-weighing clause of the principal Act. He could only say that it was most desirable, in the interests of both employers and workmen, that the law upon this subject should be made clear. ["Hear, hear!"]
MR. C. FENWICKdesired to ask whether the Bill departed in any material particular from the provisions of the Measure which was introduced last Session by the right hon. Gentleman the late Home Secretary in regard to check-weighing.
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYsaid, that the Bill was based on the provisions of the Measure introduced by the right hon. Gentleman his predecessor in office, but advantage had been taken 1271 of the criticisms of employers and employed on the Bill of last year in drawing up the present Measure. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Secretary Sir Matthew White Ridley and Mr. Jesse Collings; presented, and read 1°; to be read 2° upon Monday 4th May, and to be printed.—[Bill 183.]