HC Deb 03 July 1906 vol 159 c1625
ME. ALDEN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the fact that the German Government has established and maintains at Charlottenburg a permanent exhibition of appliances designed to prevent accidents and to safeguard the welfare of workmen; that similar institutions exist at Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Zurich; and whether, under the circumstances, he will consider the advisability of establishing or assisting in the formation of a similar institution in England.

* MR. GLADSTONE

I am aware that several institutions of the kind mentioned in the Question are in existence on the Continent. The question of establishing a similar institution in this country has been several times discussed, but there are considerable practical difficulties to be overcome. I may say that a good deal of useful work has been done in this country in another way to spread information as to the best methods of fencing and the like, that is, by the publication of special reports on particular classes of machinery —the reports on Cotton Cloth Machinery and Hoists and Teagles may be specially mentioned. I am now making further inquiries and I will communicate with my hon. friend.