§ MR. COCHRANE (Ayrshire, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Report and evidence of the Royal Commission which has been considering the health and safety of miners, can be laid upon the Table forthwith in order to prevent the delay which would occur owing to the decision of the Government that the scope of the Commission shall be enlarged by reporting upon accidents in quarries.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe first Report of the Commission, which deals with the use of breathing appliances, will be presented to Parliament this week, and I am informed that the first volume of evidence is likely to be ready next week. A large number of questions connected with coal mines, upon which evidence is now being taken, remain to be dealt with by the Commission, and I understand that they intend to present their Report upon these before proceeding to that part of their inquiry which relates to quarries.
§ MR. COCHRANEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any additional members have been appointed to the Royal Commission on Coal Mines, in view of the enlargement of the scope of the reference so as to include the question of accidents in quarries.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe Answer is in the negative. The question of appointing additional members will be considered when the Commission are about to enter on that part of their inquiry which relates to quarries.