asked the Secretary for Mines whether a bore was kept going in front of the men at work at the coal face of the pit in Staffordshire where serious flooding took place causing loss of life last week?

Owing to the damage done, it has not been possible for the Inspectors of Mines to make a thorough inspection of the workings at Shut End No. 5 Pit, where four men lost their lives on 21st April through an inrush of water, but they are informed by the management of the mine that no bore-holes were driven in advance of the workings.