§ MR. PULESTONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether his attention has been called to the evidence given at an inquest held on the body of Edward Owens, founder in Keyham Factory, Devonport, whose death resulted from inhaling noxious gases; and, whether the statement of Mr. Ellis, the foreman, that "the foundry ought to be better ventilated," and that "there was no ventilation in the iron and brass shop at all like there was in any other part of the department," would be inquired into, and the recommendation of the jury, that the Admiralty should provide better ventilation, acted upon?
§ MR. A. P. EGERTON, in reply, said, his attention had been called to the case alluded to by his hon. Friend. There was no doubt that the ventilation in the factory was defective, and the attention of the Director of Works had already been directed to the matter. The immediate cause of the death of this man appeared to be the impure atmosphere of the drying store, which, of course, could not be ventilated like other parts of the factory, and into which he went to lie down instead of proceeding into the open air.