§ 78 and 79. Mr. Cassellsasked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he is aware that no evidence was adduced from his Department's inspectors at the fatal accident inquiry held in Stirling Sheriff Court in connection with the Dumbreck colliery disaster; and is he now prepared to institute a full public inquiry into the whole facts pertaining to the underground and surface conditions in the said colliery;
(2) the result of reports received by his Department from His Majesty's inspectors of mines relative to the conditions pertaining in Kelly's Return and the electrical system in operation in Dumbreck colliery, Stirlingshire, on the date of the disaster there when nine men lost their lives?
§ Captain CrookshankI am satisfied that the fatal accident inquiry into this lamentable accident was full and searching, and I do not think it would be likely to serve any useful purpose for me to set up a second court of public inquiry. I appreciate, however, that there are technical questions of importance in regard to which it is desirable that the findings of the Sheriff Court and any recommendations of His Majesty's inspectors should 528 be made known throughout the industry without delay. I am accordingly instructing the Divisional Inspector for Scotland and the Electrical Inspector of Mines to make a special report under Section 82 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911; and it is my intention that this report shall be published as soon as possible.
§ Mr. CassellsIn view of the fact that the hon. and gallant Gentleman's inspectors were at the scene of the accident immediately afterwards, does he think it fit and proper that the jury sitting in judgment on this case should have been deprived of the information which the inspectors undoubtedly possessed?
§ Captain CrookshankIt is not for me to make any criticism of how the case was conducted, but no evidence was given by the inspectors because they were not called upon to do so by the Procurator-Fiscal.
§ Mr. CassellsIs it not within the knowledge of the Minister that the inspectors could voluntarily have produced themselves as witnesses, and that in point of fact they got the opportunity of so doing, but refused?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir, I am informed that they were not called upon.