§ Mr. THOMASasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that responsible trade union officials are experiencing difficulty in representing workmen at inquests held in different parts of the country; and, notwithstanding the circular issued in 1907 by the then Home Secretary, Lord Gladstone, urging coroners to give facilities to trade union representatives, the same difficulties are being experienced to-day, and in some cases the coroners have openly stated that they would ignore the circular of Lord Gladstone; and, having regard to the importance of trade union representation at coroners' inquests and the practical and technical knowledge such representatives can give in dealing with accidents, will he cause a fresh circular to be issued or, alternatively, introduce legislation to deal with the question?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe circular letter to coroners referred to in this question was reissued by me in April of last year, and renewed the recommendation that, in an inquest on an industrial accident, the trade union representative of the deceased workman should be allowed to attend and put questions with a view to elucidating the circumstances of the accident. I have no reason to think that this recommendation is not generally acted upon by coroners; but, if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any cases where difficulties have been experienced, I shall be glad to inquire into them.