§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention had been called to an accident at the new dock works, Liverpool, on 28th February last, by which one man was killed and four others seriously injured; whether he had any information 1213 relating to the occurrence; and if Ms Department proposed to hold a special inquiry into the cause and circumstances of the same?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe accident is not one that falls within the jurisdiction of the Factory Department, but on a request from the Coroner the Factory Inspector's Assistant attended the inquest, and it appears from the report made by him that the accident was due to the eye in the wire-rope of a crane giving way and letting fall a bucket that was being lifted. The lifting gear was examined twice daily, and the method of making the eye had been in use for fourteen years, and this was the first accident of the kind. As the accident does not fall within the Factory Act, I have no power to direct any special inquiry to be held.
§ Mr. J. WARDSeeing that there are no laws applicable to these works, will the right hon. Gentleman make haste to introduce the Engineering and Public Works Bill, which will give him authority to regulate these operations?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am as anxious as my hon. Friend that that Bill should be passed into law, and I am considering how it can best be pushed forward, having regard to the other measures in which the Home Office is interested.