asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has decided to have a court of inquiry into the cause of the death of five persons at Astley Green Colliery, Lancashire, on 6th June last; if so, will he give the name of the person who will conduct it and the date of inquiry?

Very close inquiries into the causes of this lamentable accident have already been made by His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines. These will be completed as soon as circumstances at the colliery permit. I propose to exercise my power under Section 82 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, to direct the divisional inspector to make a special report with respect to the accident, and it is my intention to publish this report as soon as possible.

Does that mean that an inquiry will be held?

It is an inquiry, but it is one by His Majesty's Inspector, which is referred to under Section 82 of the Act, and I have decided to publish the inspector's report. It is not quite the same as a formal court of inquiry.

I thought we had got away from the position of having an inspector as chairman of an inquiry, and that we had an independent person. Why could not that be done in this case?

I think the hon. Member is confusing an inquiry under Section 82 with an inquiry under Section 83.

What is the difference?

The inquiry under Section 82 is a special inquiry ordered by the Secretary for Mines to be undertaken by the divisional inspector. An inquiry under Section 83 is made by a specially-constituted court.