HC Deb 20 July 1905 vol 149 cc1378-80
MR. T. RICHARDS (Monmouthshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the number of lives lost in the disaster which occurred at the Watts-town Colliery on the 11th instant, to the fact that only one person working in the mine where the explosion took place escaped, and the frequency with which these unfortunate accidents occur, he does not deem it advisable to order a formal investigation into the causes and circumstances of the explosion, under Section 45 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887, by a "competent person," who shall, in addition to inquiry into the cause and circumstances of the explosion, also inquire into and report as to whether some method or scheme cannot be found for facilitating the efforts o those who on all these occasions are so ready to undertake the work of rescue.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS Kent,) St. Augustine's

It is, of course, of great importance that all the facts in connection with the explosion should be fully a certained, and to this end I have appointed counsel to represent the Department at the inquest. I think there are no reasons for supposing that the inquiry before the coroner will not be full and complete What further steps it may be necessary for me to take as a result of the inquiry I cannot say until I have received the reports of counsel and the mines inspector. The latter part of the hon. Member's Question refers, I presume, to the provision of apparatus which would enable the rescuers to breathe in bad air. There are several kinds of apparatus for this purpose already in existence, and I may refer the hon. Member on the question to the Report made by Dr. Haldane in 1896 on the causes of death in colliery explosions.

MR. T. RICHARDS asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the anticipated unsatisfactory reply of the Home Secretary, an early opportunity would be given for discussing the Home Office Vote. If not, he should move the adjournment of the House, as this was an urgent matter of public importance. They had 500,000 men going down into the mines every day, and—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member is only entitled to ask a Question.

MR. JOHN WILSON (Durham, Mid.) asked for more definite information as to the provision of apparatus and appliances at the mines.

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I cannot say definitely what apparatus can be supplied, but the question is under consideration, and we will endeavour to hasten the matter.

MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydfil)

Will there be an inquiry following the coroner's inquest?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

That will depend on the reports I receive from counsel and from the inspector of mines.

MR T. RICHARDS

I press the Prime Minister for a reply to my Question.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

In view of the obvious, and reasonable desire of hon Gentlemen on this side to ascertain the mentions of the Government with regard to these coal mine disasters, does the right hon. Gentleman not see the necessity of allowing the usual three extra days for Supply, one of which might be devoted to the-Home Office Vote?

SIR ALFRED THOMAS (Glamorganshire, E.)

There is very strong feeling in South Wales in favour of further inquiry, and I therefore hope we shall have an opportunity of discussing the matter.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I would remind the House that at the special request of the Opposition and the Irish Members we are taking Irish Supply on Tuesday next and the Colonial Office Vote on next Thursday. I shall be glad, of course, to receive any representation with regard to Supply for the following week. Indeed, if I get a recommendation from the official representatives of hon. Gentlemen opposite, I shall be glad to modify the programme so as to substitute the Home. Office Vote for the Colonial Vote.