§ MR. TULLY () Leitrim, S.I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the prescribed limits for the flash point of petroleum in Pennsylvania and New York; and whether, in view of the recent accidents from the use of low-flash oil in this country, he is prepared to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee who inquired into this matter.
§ MR. AKERS DOUGLASI am informed that the method of testing petroleum adopted in Pennsylvania and New York is different from that in use in England. It is a fire test rather than a flash tost, and merely gives the temperature at which the oil will ignite and burn in an open cup. If the results wera reduced to terms of the flash point according to the Abel close test employed in England, they would show as nearly as possible 63 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit respectively for the States named. As regards the second paragraph, I am not at present satisfied that recent experience has strengthened the case for further legislation in this matter.
§ MR. TULLYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information he has just given is contrary to the evidence of the experts before the Committee, of which I was a member?
§ [No answer was given.]