HC Deb 10 May 1897 vol 49 cc95-6
MR. J. AIRD (Paddington, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, having regard to the terrible calamity in Paris, he will be willing to appoint a Committee or a Commission to consider the desirability of some further measures being taken for the safety of the public in this country, not only for theatres, but for public meetings and bazaars?

*MR. T. G. FARDELL (Paddington, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question I desire to supplement it with another, of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he will consider during the Parliamentary Recess the advisability of introducing in the course of the next Session of Parliament a Bill to give effect to the Report of the Select Committee of the House in 1892 on Theatres and places of Entertainment, and so extend the provisions of the Bill as to bring within its scope all places, whether licensed or not, which are used or intended to be used for any purpose where the public are invited to assemble?

*SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

This very important Question has already been considered by more than one Committee, including the Select Committee of 1892, to which my hon. Friend the Member for South Paddington alludes, and I cannot say that at present it seems to me to be necessary to have a further Inquiry. I will carefully consider, however, the question of whether any or what legislation can be introduced further on with the view of securing the public, so far as may be possible, against the occurrence of any such terrible disaster as happened last week in Paris.

MR. AIRD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that at the present time there is no control whatever as regards inspection of bazaars against fires?

*SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

I am quite aware that there is no control except over places which happen to be licensed for other purposes, when it is possible to attach to the licence a condition which insures some security for life against fire. It is a very difficult question upon which to legislate, but looking at the information which we have, and which has been supplied by the various Committees of Inquiry, I cannot see that at present there is any necessity for further investigation. That there ought to be some legislation I think is very possible, and to that I am prepared to give my most earnest attention. ["Hear, hear !"]