§ 73. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the recent inquest held in the circumstances connected with the colliery explosion at the Minnie pit, North Staffordshire, at which it was shown that 228 explosions of this character could be prevented by the introduction of regulations for the adequate treatment of coal dust by inert dusts; whether the Home Office has decided to hold a special inquiry under the Coal Mines Regulation Act into the circumstances connected with this explosion before the coroner's inquest; in the present circumstances does he intend to still hold such an inquiry; if so, will be give an estimate of the cost which will fall on public funds through the holding of such an inquiry; and will he state when he proposes to introduce the Regulations referred to?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first three parts of this question is in the affirmative. I am advised that while a large part of the ground was covered at the inquest, there are one or two important questions which call for expert investigation, and the proposed special inquiry cannot, therefore, be dispensed with. It is not possible to give an estimate of the cost, but the inquiry is not expected to take more than two or three days. A draft of Regulations dealing with the treatment of coal dust has been prepared, and has been referred for consideration to the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation, and I hope to be able to proceed to the establishment of the Regulations at an early date.