§ MR. BRUNNERI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has now informed himself as to the second death in Cheshire in 1890 caused by a wound from barbed 469 wire; and whether he is now contemplating legislation forbidding the use of barbed wire at the sides of public roads and footpaths?
§ MR. RITCHIEI have obtained from the Coroner the depositions in the case referred to. It appears that the deceased was a farmer, and that whilst engaged in driving some cows from one field to another his hand came in contact with some barbed wire fence which was placed along a quick-set fence to prevent the fence being injured by cattle, and that the death was occasioned by blood-poisoning caused by the wound. The evidence does not show that the fencing in this case was at the side of a public road or footpath.
§ MR. BRUNNERThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the second part of the question, namely, whether he is contemplating legislation forbidding the use of barbed wires? Now that the planting of spring guns and mantraps has been prohibited ought not barbed wires also to follow in their wake?
§ MR. RITCHIEI certainly see a great difference between the one and the other; but I may inform the hon. Gentleman that the Government are not contemplating legislation.