HC Deb 09 December 1912 vol 45 cc23-5
22. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked whether the returns form by coroners to the Registrar-General of inquests contains any column for cases of death by burning due to flannelette, or whether it is purely optional on the part of coroners to supply such information?

Mr. McKENNA

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the latter part in the affirmative.

23. Mr. JOYNSON - HICKS

asked whether, notwithstanding the figure of sixty-seven given from the Registrar-General's Returns as the number of deaths from flannelette clothes in 1910, the Coroners' Committee report that in the month of January alone in that year there were eighty-nine of such fatalities and a total of 176 in three months; and whether, out of the total of 1,681 deaths by burning in 1910, over 1,000 were due to the wearing of flannelette?

Mr. McKENNA

The figures eighty-nine and 176 which the hon. Member quotes are taken from tables given in evidence before the Coroners' Committee, and published among the appendices to the Committee's Report. These tables were prepared by the proprietors of "non-flam" flannelette from newspaper reports, and their accuracy was not investigated by the Committee. As regards the total number of deaths in 1910 due to the ignition of flannelette clothes, I have no information other than that in the Registrar-General's Report, to which I have already referred the hon. Member, and which gives the total number of deaths from burning clothes of all descriptions in that year as fifty-seven.

Mr. JOYNSON HICKS

Had the Coroner's Committee any reason whatsoever to doubt the accuracy of these figures, and, if not, seeing how different they are from the Registrar-General's, will the right hon. Gentleman direct an inquiry?

Mr. McKENNA

I am unable to say whether the Coroner's Committee had any reason to doubt that because the Committee did not report upon that subject at all.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask one of his clerks to make that investigation?

Mr. McKENNA

No, Sir.

61. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Coroners' Committee which inquired into the deaths from burning owing to the use of flannelette; and whether he will be prepared to propose legislation in this or the ensuing Session to prevent this loss of life?

Mr. McKENNA

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The only recommendation of the Committee was that the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, should be amended so as to make it penal to describe as non-inflammable material which will not stand certain prescribed tests. I understand this cannot be done in the way suggested, because the subject is entirely outside the scope of that Act; but I am ready to receive suggestions as to the prescription of practicable standards and tests with a view to the introduction of legislation.