§ MR. ALBERT STANLEY () Staffordshire, N.W.I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say what present means are being taken to recover the bodies 571 of the workmen entombed in the Coppice Pit of the Brereton Collieries, Rugeley.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.I am informed that up to the present the efforts of the management have had to be directed to preventing the water from flooding the main workings of the colliery. No steps have been taken, so far, to unwater the submerged dip workings where the bodies lie, and no decision, I understand, has yet been come to by the owners on the subject. It is to be feared that in any case the work of unwatering the workings would be long and difficult. The feeder of water has decreased in volume but is still flowing through the submerged workings at the rate of 500 gallons per minute. As I said before, if no inquest can he held I think a special inquiry will be desirable.
§ MR. ALBERT STANLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the inquiry will be held?
§ MR. GLADSTONENo, Sir; but I should say the sooner the better.