§ 41. Mr. WINGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has been informed that on the 28th of February a fatal accident occurred at the Houghton Pit, county Durham, as a result of a fall of stone, and that it was reported at the inquest that, on bringing the miner to bank to the colliery ambulance station, there were no bandages; and if he will call the attention of the district inspector to this fact with a view to remedying such a state of affairs, and see that a similar shortage of surgical appliances does not exist at any other pit in the northern district?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)I have received a report on this case. There was no shortage of surgical appliances at the pit, and the injured man was bandaged and attended to before being brought to bank in a manner which earned the commendation of the doctor, who was waiting on the surface. The doctor thought some further bandaging advisable before removal, and, unfortunately, the key of the cupboard where the supply was kept was not immediately forthcoming. Improvised bandages, however, were used instead. Better arrangements have now been made to ensure that the key shall always be immediately available. I do not think that any further action on my part is called for.