MR MARK HAMTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, having regard to the fact that Mr. A. H. Stokes, His Majesty's Inspector of Mines in the Midland District, has stated that the two fatal accidents due to electricity 1267 occurring in his district during the year 1901 could have been avoided if, in the first case, an earth return had not been employed; and, in the second case, if the motor terminals had been properly protected, whether be will explain why, under these circumstances, he did not forthwith order an inquiry into these two cases, and why his Department made no request to the companies in question, to grant facilities for such an inquiry.
(Answer) Only one fatal accident due to electricity occurred in the Midland District in the year 1901. Another, which is perhaps alluded to, occurred at Wyken Colliery in September 1900. In both cases full inquiry was made by the inspector with the result shown in his report. Every facility appears to have been afforded him to ascertain the facts, which were also given in evidence at the coroner's inquest held in each case.—(Home Office.)