COLONEL HERBERT (Monmouthshire, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the recent disaster at the Caradoc mine, Gilfach Goch, whether, as required by the Mines Act, a plan of the disused workings of that mine was deposited at the Home Office when working was temporarily suspended; what guarantee the Home Office has of the accuracy of such plans; and whether, having regard to the danger of flooding in collieries that have been partially disused, he will direct that special inquiry be made with reference to the working plans of the colliery in question.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEA plan was deposited at the Home Office of the workings in the Ty Du seam at this colliery which were abandoned in September, 1904. The accuracy of the plan was certified by a surveyor approved by the inspector for the district, as required by the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1896. Inquiry is being made by the inspector as to the accuracy of the working plans of this colliery.