§ MR. SEDDON (Lancashire, Newton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he endorses the opinion of His Majesty's inspector of factories for Camborne, Corn wall, expressed when giving evidence at an inquest on March 5th, namely, that it would be unreasonable to expect that, where only two people were employed, the owner should be compelled to place a staircase outside; and, failing agreement with this decision, whether he will secure a full explanation from the said inspector.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.I am not sure what were the exact words used by the Inspector, but I do not think it would be safe to conclude from the report published in the Western Morning News that he did make this statement. If he did, then I do not agree with it. It is difficult to fix an exact standard of safety in these cases. But my own view is that it is the duty of every occupier of a house who is responsible for the safety of its inmates to make proper provision for egress in case of fire; and that where there is but a single staircase, it is especially necessary to provide an alternative way of escape