130th anniversary of the Diglake Collier Disaster in Newcastle-under-Lyme

That this House marks the 130th anniversary of the Diglake Collier Disaster that took place in Bignall End, Newcastle-under-Lyme on 14 January 1895; acknowledges the memories of the 77 men and boys who lost their lives in this mining disaster; gives thanks that 161 of the 238 men and boys who were underground managed to escape with their lives; recognises that the law of 1895 prohibited all women and boys under 12 years of age from working underground hence many of the workers were local boys of 13 to 19 years of age where fathers and sons would often accompany each other on the same shift, with tragic results on 14 January 1895; notes that the then Staffordshire Sentinel inaugurated a relief fund, eventually raising £17,000 for the 37 widows and 88 bereaved children; rededicates itself to the importance of ensuring that workers can safely and securely carry out their duties now and in the future; appreciates the Revd Joy Ventom and the Church Wardens, led by Bob Alcock, at Audley Methodist Church for hosting a weekend of remembrance including on Sunday 19 January, a procession and memorial service featuring the Audley Brass Band; and, 130 years after the disaster reaffirms its duty, responsibility and privilege to remember the men and boys who died with pride, both now and for generations to come.