§ LORD WHARNCLIFFEpresented a petition from coal miners, praying for legislative interference for the better ventilation and regulation of coal mines, and in doing so the noble Lord observed, that in asking for better protection in their arduous occupation no class of Her Majesty's subjects were better entitled to the consideration of their Lordships, whether the benefits rendered by their labour to the community were considered, or the danger of the occupation itself. After stating a few facts illustrative of the nature of the miners' work and the peculiar risks they encountered, he remarked, that, although some of the casualties they suffered might be beyond human precaution or prevention, there were other causes in existence which might be removed, and there had been cases in which fatal accidents had occurred through the negligence of those who employed the labour. In such cases it was not unreasonable for the Legislature to interpose, in order to obtain more security under a better system of management. It had been ascertained that during the last few years the number of lives lost by accidents in mines had considerably increased. In 1838 the number was 349; in 1840, 498; in 1845, 562; in 1847 there was a small reduction, as the number was 462; in 1848 it rose again to 570; and in 1849 there were no fewer than 704 lives lost. The question then arose, whether, by improved regulations, greater security of life could not be attained. Inquiry into this subject had been made, in 1835, by a Committee of the House of Commons, which had made a report; and since then there had been a series of inquiries into accidents in coal mines by Commissioners appointed by the Government, besides other spontaneous inquiries down to the report of last Session, when their Lord- 1162 ships had acceded to his suggestion for repeating the inquiry. In all these reports there was no difference of opinion as to the possibility of instituting better precautions against the loss of life. The noble Lord then adverted to the fact, that in the Belgian mines there had been a decrease of accidents during the years in which there had been an improved system of inspection. It was clear, from the facts recorded, that something might be done by an efficient system of ventilation. He thought some regulations should be adopted which should entail a more direct responsibility upon those who ought to bear responsibility—the owners and managers of mines. He trusted that every facility would be given for the appointment of competent inspectors. He wished to know if the Commission appointed by the Government had yet reported, and, if so, when it might be expected to be laid before the House?
§ EARL GRANVILLEstated that the report was in preparation, and would be laid upon the table before the end of the present Session.
§ The EARL of MALMESBURYsaid, that nobody could deplore more than he did the loss of life which was occasioned by accidents in mines, but yet he thought that the Government deserved much credit for acting with so much caution before taking any direct steps in the matter. He was sure that the Government would see the great importance of guarding them as much as possible from accidents, but yet it was necessary to have some regard to the interests of the proprietors of these mines. He hoped that the inspection would be instituted, but it was not desirable that Government inspectors should become directors of these mines.
§ EARL FITZWILLIAMsaid, that they should be particularly cautious in enforcing any particular plan on the proprietors of mines. If they gave the inspectors a compulsory power, it cast the responsibility on the inspection, and diminished it on the part of the proprietors. Much injury would arise from such a course.
§ The EARL of ST. GERMANSsaid, that he hoped that what had fallen from the noble Earl who bad just sat down Would not deter their Lordships from sanctioning an inspection. He should like to know an instance where the responsibility in any of these cases had ever been brought home to the proprietors?
§ Petition to lie on the table.