HC Deb 04 July 1910 vol 18 cc1321-2
Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Departmental Committee on Deep Excavations have visited and inspected any deep trenches in course of execution in this country; and whether they have begun to take evidence upon the subject?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Masterman)

The Secretary of State is informed that the Committee have already visited and inspected several works in course of construction, and are proposing to visit others. Arrangements have been made to commence the taking of evidence in London at the beginning of September.

Mr. JOHN WARD

asked whether it is proposed that the Departmental Committee on Deep Excavations should issue special interim Reports upon the causes of the recent disasters at Newport and Birkenhead Docks?

Mr. MASTERMAN

It is not proposed to ask the Committee to make interim Reports upon the causes of the disasters at Newport and Birkenhead Docks. The reference to the Committee is to inquire generally into the dangers attending deep excavation in connection with the construction of docks and other similar works, and to consider and report what steps can be taken to minimise such dangers. A Report on the causes of the Newport disaster has already been made by Mr. Squire, who is one of the members of the Committee, and has been presented to Parliament.

Mr. JOHN WARD

asked whether he can give the name of the member of the Departmental Committee on Deep Trench Excavations who is supposed to represent the workers' interest in the pending inquiry; and what are the terms of reference upon which the committee are seeking information?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The Committee is a small committee of expert engineers, and does not include representatives either of employers or workmen. The terms of reference are: "To inquire into the dangers attending deep excavation in connection with the construction of docks and other similar works, and to consider and report what steps can be taken to minimise such dangers."

Mr. J. WARD

Is there a single Member who has not at some time or other been retained as an expert adviser or engineer for big contracting firms?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I could not answer that off-hand.