HC Deb 07 March 1892 vol 2 c164
DR. TANNER

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the recent calamitous loss of life by fire in American hotels, any, and, if so what, provisions are in force in this country making it obligatory upon lessees and owners of hotels and other houses for the reception of guests, to secure, as far as possible, the safety of inmates in case of fire; and whether such buildings are inspected and reported upon with a view to the prevention of loss of life by fire?

MR. MATTHEWS

I am not aware of any enactment which imposes the obligation mentioned in the question, or which provides for the inspection of hotels with a view to secure prevention of loss of life from fires.

DR. TANNER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many of the monster hotels in Manchester, Liverpool, London, and elsewhere, the people who are condemned to live on third and fourth floors have frequently expressed great alarm?

MR. MATTHEWS

No, Sir; I am not aware of the fact. I do not think anybody is condemned to live on the third and fourth floors.

DR. TANNER

In view of the terrible disasters which have occurred, will not the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter, and try to prevent them as far as possible? I shall call attention to it on the Estimates.