§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Durham, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of Mr. R. Smellie, at the Miners' Conference on Friday, the 11th instant, that in Lanarkshire there were over 2,000 foreign workmen employed, who were brought into this country, and not being able to speak a word of the language, and never having seen a coal mine before a safety lamp was put in their hands, were sent to work in fiery mines; if these men are sent to a work in groups in contravention of General Rule 39; and whether he will take steps to prevent the introduction of these unskilled men into the mines in view of the danger to the lives of the miners.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sI can only repeat what I have said in answer to a Question on the same subject on the 19th of last month,† and to previous Questions, that, after careful inquiry on several occasions, no evidence has been forthcoming to show that these foreigners are a cause of danger to the other
† See (4) Debates, cxxx., 446.1404 miners employed in the same mines. No complaint has reached me that men are being employed in contravention of General Rule 39, but I will make inquiry of the Mines Inspectors on the point.