§ MR. TENNANT (Berwickshire)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 1153 Department whether he has yet considered the question of the means of escape from fire in factories and workshops and the Bill before the House; and whether he will take steps for the appointment of a Select Committee on this subject.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) I have considered the Bill which the hon. Member has introduced to amend the law relating to the provision of means of escape from fire in factories and workshops, but while I recognise that it is an attempt to deal with a matter of importance, which stands in need of some remedy, I do not think that the Bill is one which the House could be recommended to accept without very full investigation and discussion. In particular, the danger from fire is not peculiarly a factory question, and I do not think that the matter could be satisfactorily dealt with unless there was also brought into consideration the case of other lofty buildings where considerable numbers of persons are gathered together. The whole question, is perhaps, one for investigation by a Select Committee of the House, and if the hon. Member were to move for the appointment of such a Committee and could agree with me as to the terms of reference, I should not oppose the proposal.