§ 59. Mr. MORRELLasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the large and continual growth in the number of fatal accidents occurring in factories and workshops in recent years, he will grant a Return of all such accidents for the past year showing the name, age, and occupation of each person killed, with date of accident, cause of accident, and description and name of owner of factory or workshop in which the accident occurred, similar to the list of fatal accidents con- 448 tained in the Reports of inspectors of mines and quarries; and will he require the insertion of such particulars in future Reports of the chief inspector?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe subject of a Return by the Departmental Committee on Factory Accidents, who did not suggest any such Return as proposed by my hon. Friend, but took the view—with which I agree—that what is important is the preparation of careful analyses of the accidents in particular trades or districts. Tables giving detailed information for specific trades have been published in the Annual Reports of recent years, as, for example, for cotton spinning in 1909, shipbuilding in 1910, locomotives and motors in 1911, and iron and steel foundries in 1912, and other trades will be dealt with in the same way. Statistics in this form should, in my opinion, be much more valuable for purposes of prevention of accidents than unclassified particulars of individual accidents spread over the whole body of miscellaneous industries.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last four years the annual number of fatalities in factories has increased by over 40 per cent.? Does he not think that some steps are desirable in regard to this increase?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot commit myself to the precise percentage, but I regret to say that my hon. Friend's statement is substantially right.
§ Mr. BOOTHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware there has been a distinct increase in the number of fatal accidents since legislation was undertaken by this House in regard to Employer's Liability and Workmen's Compensation?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf my hon. Friend means to suggest there is any relation of cause and effect between the two, I cannot agree with him.
§ Mr. BOOTHI merely asked whether it is not the fact that there has been a large increase in the number of accidents since this legislation was passed?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have already said there has been an increase in the number.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWill the right hon. Gentleman take any legislative action to diminish the number of fatal accidents, or does he intend to take no steps whatever?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir, we are constantly taking steps.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKLegislative steps?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIn late years?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of giving details of all the accidents, similar to those given in regard to accidents in mines? Will he do that for one year?
§ Mr. McKENNAWe think the giving of details as in the case of mines would be of no value. It would not assist us in deciding what is necessary to be done.
§ Mr. MORRELLIt would assist in discovering where accidents occur?
§ Mr. McKENNAWe have that information already