§ 78. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of a decision given by Judge Hill Kelly, at Newport, on Friday last, by which a number of colliers were mulcted in 50s. damages each for having absented themselves from work, whilst a claim by the workmen for five days' wages in respect of the same period was rejected; whether the evidence showed that there were faults giving off gas in the part of the mine where the men refused to work and that the safety lamp of an examiner showed a blue cap of flame half an inch to an inch, whilst the assistant mines inspector found 2 per cent. of gas in the air; whether there was gas lying accumulated 2659 in the gob or waste which, had it been fired, would have caused a disastrous explosion; whether, under these circumstances, the men were justified, under Clause 67 of the Mines Act, in refusing to go on working; and whether he will now take action to have the damages against the men cancelled or, as an alternative, obtain a Grant from the Treasury to recoup the men for their loss?
§ Mr. McKENNAI think the hon. Member is mistaken. According to the reports which I have received, the counterclaim of the company against the men was dismissed as well as the claim of the men against the company.