§ Mr. FINNEYasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an accident which occurred at the Victoria Pit, Black Bull Collieries, near Stoke-on-Trent, on 9th October ultimo, when a bridge collapsed, resulting in the death of two workmen, namely, Reginald Brown, Slater Street, Biddulph, and Ernest Longshaw, Mowcop, and injuries to about 30 other workmen; whether at the inquiry the jury found that the deceased workmen met their death accidentally through injuries caused by the collapse of the bridge, that the collapse was due to a defective baulk, that there 961W ought to have been a more systematic examination of the bridge, and that the structure should be under the Coal Mines Regulation Act and systematic and recorded examinations thereof be made compulsory; and what steps he has taken or intends to take respecting the same?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that there was grave negligence on the part of the management, and I have given directions for proceedings to be taken under the Coal Mines Act for a breach of the General Regulation which renders liable to a penalty any person negligently omitting to do anything necessary for the safety of the persons employed. The question of making specific provision in the Act to guard against similar accidents will be carefully considered.