§ MR. DIXON-HARTLANDasked the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, Whether it is a fact that, in September 1883, the Board called on the occupier of the Myddelton Hall, Islington, to make certain structural alterations in those premises,
With a view to lessen risk to human life n case of panic or fire;whether it is true that such structural alterations are still unmade, whilst licences have been since twice granted; and, whether, if this is correct, he intends to take any steps to have its proper exits provided, and, if the power of his Board is not sufficient for the purpose, whether he intends to at once bring in a short Bill to carry out the suggestion of the Home Secretary—That it should he compulsory that the managers of each place of public entertainment applying for a renewal of their annual licences should produce a certificate from the Metropolitan Board of their safety to the public, making that a condition precedent to the renewal of their licences?
§ SIR JAMES M'GAREL-HOGGI beg to inform my hon. Friend that it is not a fact that the Board, in September, 1888, called on the occupier of this Hall to make certain structural alterations. Plans of the Hall have been taken by the Board's Architect, which will be considered in due course; but no requisitions as to structural alterations have been served upon the owner. The Hall is only used occasionally, and there are other places of more importance which require to be dealt with before it. Having answered my hon. Friend's first Question in the negative, I have only to add that it is doubtful whether such a Bill as that referred to by him could be brought in without Notice; but the matter has not escaped the attention of the Board.