§ SIR CHARLES M'LAREN (Leicestershire, Bosworth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the gallantry of four men, who, in order to save life after the colliery explosion at Abertysswg, at once descended the pit, notwithstanding the risk from afterdamp, and to the fact that by their efforts nearly twenty lives were ultimately saved; and will he say whether the Albert Medal is given in such cases; and, if not, whether he will consider whether it may be awarded to miners who voluntarily risk their lives in rescuing others.
§ MR. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Rhondda)At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the successful efforts to save life after the recent explosion at the Abertysswg Colliery in South Wales, 1397 resulting from the action of certain miners, who at once descended the pit, and at the risk of their lives began the work of rescuing the men still living from the firedamp, to the injury of their health; will he say whether such cases are within his power to recognise by the award of the Albert Medal; and, if so, whether he will give it to those first down the pit, if the facts are laid before him.
§ * MR. AKERS DOUGLASThe suggestion made by hon. Members has already been before me, and I have looked very carefully into the facts of; the case. I fully appreciate the praiseworthy and courageous conduct of each one of the men referred to; but I do ‡ not find—and I say it with regret—that the case is one which I should feel justified in submitting to the King for an award of the Albert Medal.