§ Mr. Frank Lee(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has yet decided upon the appointment of an independent chairman to conduct the inquiry into the causes of the Markham Colliery explosion, and, if so, can he give the name?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)Yes, Sir. Mr. P. E. Sandlands, K.C., Recorder of Leicester, has been appointed as Commissioner, and Mr. F. H. Wynne, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines, as Assessor; and the Commissioner will, I understand, make an early announcement as to the date when he will open the inquiry. I should like to add that the appointment of the Commissioner for this particular inquiry does not imply a decision on my part, should the contingency unhappily arise, to discontinue the long-standing practice by which as a rule the Chief Inspector of Mines has been appointed to hold such inquiries.
§ Mr. G. HallIs there to be an assessor to act on behalf of the Mine Workers' Federation in co-operation with the Chief Inspector of Mines?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir, there will only be one assessor, the Chief Inspector of Mines.
§ Mr. G. HallWhy is it that the miners are not to have an assessor at this inquiry?
§ Mr. Gordon MacdonaldIs it not customary for each side to have an assessor?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir.