§ MR. H. C. RICHARDS (Finsbury, E.)To ask the Secretary of State for the
† See page 241.374 Home Department if, in view of the recent fire at the Highbury Truant School and the loss of life at Eton College and Colney Hatch Asylum, he has taken, or will take, any steps to urge upon the authorities of institutions having grants from the Treasury and under Home Office inspection to provide for the unlocking of all barred windows in these institutions in the event of fire, and the provision of fire escapes therefrom, at the earliest opportunity.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) The question of means of escape in case of fire has recently received special attention as regards both institutions which come within my jurisdiction, and also, as I understand, those which fall under other Government Departments, and my hon. friend may be assured that all possible precautions are urged upon managers and other authorities and are widely adopted, whether by the removal of window bars, the provision of special means of exit, or otherwise.