§ SIR CHARLES DILKETo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been called to the recent frequency of accidents from flying shuttles in the worsted trade in Bradford: and whether he has any official information showing why the precautions which have reduced the frequency of flying shuttle accidents in Lancashire appear not yet to have had that effect on certain branches of the worsted trade; and what steps he proposes to take.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas.) There have been eighteen shuttle accidents this year in the worsted trade in the Bradford district; all, happily, as I understand, of a slight character. I am aware that this number indicates a considerable increase on last year: but the figures are apt to fluctuate considerably. Moreover, though all the shuttles in the worsted-weaving districts are well guarded with guards similar to those used in the cotton districts, the differences in the material under manufacture render it difficult to make the guards equally effective. The matter will continue to receive the attention of the inspectors.