§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fatal and non-fatal accidents have occurred to persons employed as climbers, etc., in the work of repairing steeples and tall chimneys during the last five years; and what precautions are taken by his Department to prevent accidents through loose cornices and large stones being neglected until it has become dangerous to approach or handle them, and by reason of defective repairing gear or other cause?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)No statistics in respect of this class of accident are available. Such accidents would in most cases only be reportable, if at all, under Sub-section (2) of Section 105 of the Factory Act, and have not been classified separately. There is no power at present to take any action for the prevention of accidents in the construction or repair of buildings except where power is used; but as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, a Departmental Committee in 1907 615 drew up a seris of recommendations on the subject, and a Bill has been introduced in the last two Sessions to give the necessary power to carry them into effect.