Mr. JOHN WILSONasked the Home Secretary whether he has noted the prominence given by Professor Redmayne, Chief Inspector of Mines, and Mr. R. D. Bain, Inspector of Mines in Durham, in their Report on the West Stanley explosion, to the dangers arising from the use of electricity in mines, and to the statement in the Report that, on the asssumption that the explosion did originate in the Busty seam, they were of the opinion that electricity was a more likely first cause than any of the alternatives already discussed; whether he is aware that all the evidence given at the inquest by mining experts and other witnesses went to show that the explosion originated in the Busty seam; and whether, having regard to this evidence as to the Busty seam and the statement of the inspectors making the Report as to electricity being the most probable cause, he will arrange a commission of inquiry into the danger involved in the use of electricity in mining operations?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEYes, Sir, I have had under my consideration the Report of the chief inspector and district inspector on the West Stanley disaster and other reports which have reached me from time to time in regard to the use of electricity in mines and the working of the special rules. Since the previous inquiry five years ago much further experience on the subject has been obtained; new points have arisen, and the special rules, the working of which has been carefully watched by my Department, have shown themselves in need of amendment on a number of points. I propose, therefore, to appoint a small expert Committee to revise the rules in the light of the experience which has now been gained of their working.
Mr. JOHN WILSONWill the right hon. Gentleman, in face of the terrible explo- 2301 sion at the West Stanley mine, and as his reporters have discarded every other alternative as to the cause of the explosion, inquire into the danger of the use of electrical machinery in mines?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEOh, yes, Sir.