HC Deb 03 May 1888 vol 325 cc1209-10
MR. BROADHURST (Nottingham, W.)

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the Report of one of the Assistant Secretaries to the Board of Trade on the subject of Registry and Inspection of Land Boilers, and especially to the following paragraph on page 19:— Although it was not deemed to be necessary to encumber the draft Boiler Registry and Inspection Bill with clauses on the subject, I think this question of properly qualified attendants may well be considered with those of inspection and registration of boilers. It would be well to secure, as far as possible, that the boilers are properly constructed and kept in good order; but if they are entrusted to careless and incompetent men disasters must happen. I must, however, in fairness, add that in most of the cases of explosion the boiler attendants have not been at fault; and, whether the Government will consider the recommendation of so great an authority with a view to legislation on the subject?

THE PRESIDENT (Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH) (Bristol, W.)

I am aware of the Report relating to the Registry and Inspection of Land Boilers to which the hon. Member refers, and would call his attention to that part of his quotation which states that in most of the cases of explosion the attendants have not been at fault. The Government are not prepared to undertake legislation of the kind desired by the hon. Member.