§ Mr. THEODORE TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in England and Wales 700 persons are annually burnt to death owing to flannelette garments catching fire; that during the months of November, December, and January last over 400 persons were burnt to death in consequence of their clothing catching fire; and that it is possible to treat flannelette in such a way as to render it permanently resistant to flame; and whether the Government contemplate the introduction of any legislation as a result of the evidence presented to the coroners' committee on this question?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe figures referred to by my hon. Friend have not been brought to my notice, and I do not know on what authority they are given. From the Registrar-General's last Returns, which are based on coroners' certificates, it would appear that in 1909 the number of deaths from burning clothes was 689, but only in seventy-three cases is it stated that the clothing was made of flannelette. As regards the possibility of treating flannelette in such a way as to render it permanently resistant to flame, I must refer my hon. Friend to the findings of the coroners' committee on the point. I fear there is no prospect of legislation on this question during the present Session.