HC Deb 10 June 1898 vol 58 c1305
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the matches in use in the House of Commons are supplied by Messrs. Bryant and May; and, if so, whether, in view of the recent revelations showing that this firm were convicted of a breach of the Factory Act by which certain of their employees were poisoned, he will see that matches made by some other British or Irish manufacturer are used in the House of Commons instead of Bryant and May's.

MR. HANBURY

Perhaps the honourable Member will postpone this Question till Monday, and then address it to the First Commissioner of Works.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

But I am advised that the First Commissioner of Works is not the person to answer it. Can you, Mr. Speaker, inform me who is, for I want to get an answer to the Question?

MR. SPEAKER

I am not the authority on that point. Perhaps the honourable Member will address his Question to the Leader of the House.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I have no objection to putting it to the whole of the occupants of the Treasury Bench.