§ Sir A. Wilsonasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the exceptional character, both of the Gresford mine disaster and of the reports of the commissioner and his two assessors, and of the public statement as to the value of the published evidence given at inquiries into colliery disasters in the past made by Sir Richard Redmayne on 29th January, he will give further consideration to the printing of the evidence, particularly in view of the fact that it will require reexamination and reconsideration if, and when, the mine is opened?
§ Captain CrookshankI will certainly give the matter further consideration in the light of the discussion of the reports in this House, but it is to be remembered that the practice of publishing evidence given at public inquiries into mine explosions was abandoned 40 years ago. I find it difficult to see that any useful purpose would be served by reviving the practice in this case by publishing this huge mass of evidence, much of it, as the reports show, of a conflicting and minutely detailed character. As the hon. Member is aware, the evidence is available to Members of the House for reference purposes, as a typescript copy has been in the Library for some time.