§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Colonel Leslie Wilson.]
§ Mr. S. WALSHIt will be remembered that last week I gave notice that on the Adjournment, I would raise the matter of the Nos. 1 and 2 pits, Parr, St. Helens, Lancashire, belonging to the Haydock Collieries, Limited, regarding which I had asked a Private Notice question of the Secretary of Mines. I have to thank the hon. Gentleman for taking action so quickly. He has given me, since I came to the House this afternoon, a statement setting out the existing situation at these collieries. I do not intend to deal with 198 the Report immediately, but there are statements in it which I cannot accept. When the workmen's inspector reported at the beginning of March last on the accumulations of coal dust in the mine, in consequence of the introduction of riddles and forks, nothing was done for some time. Colonel Pilkington had previously paid a visit to the same place, and had found that there was less dust in the mane than had been complained of, but my information is to the effect that preparations had been made in advance of his visit whereby the accumulations of dust were removed. I gave notice last Wednesday that I intended to raise this question on Thursday, and that very day, Thursday, six men who had worked on the day turn had to come back at night to help to clear the coal dust away and to stone-dust the road. A number of men on the day shift stayed to assist with the same work. On that same day 15 boxes of stone dust from the United Alkali works were sent down the pit with the necessary brushes to sweep up and dust the roads. A number of boxes filled with small coal and dust were also sent out of the pit—exactly what the men are contending for, namely, that thi6 small coal and dust should be sent out of the pit.
§ Notice taken that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,
§ The House was adjourned at Twenty-three Minutes after Eleven o'Clock till To-morrow.