§ MR. C. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the mining operations carried on by Lord Dudley at Quarry Bank, South Staffordshire, has caused the destruction of much valuable property belonging to working people, and that other properties are threatened with destruction in consequence of the continued working of these mines; and whether it is a fact that the proprietor of the Quarry Bank mines is exempt from the liability of other mine-owners in the district to pay compensation for damages done by such mining operations; and, if so, what steps the Government propose to take to remedy this risk to public life and property?
§ MR. CHAPLINI have not received any communication from the district on the subject mentioned. The matter is not one with regard to which the Local Government Board have any jurisdiction, and I cannot express any opinion as to the legal liabilities of the mine-owner.