§ 77. Mr. WIGNALLasked the Home Secretary whether any steps will be taken in connection with the fatal accident, which occurred on the 16th August last, to a crane driver named William Davis, whose death was caused owing to a 3-ton crane being expected to lift a package weighing 9 tons 9 cwt. 3 qrs., at a wharf belonging to the Tyne Tees Steamship Company, Middlesbrough, in view of the fact that the district factory inspector did not report within the three months' statutory period, during which proceedings under the Factory Act could be instituted; whether he is aware that the regulations are frequently disregarded, and no prosecution follows such offences as negligence to provide proper gangways, omission to cover hatchways or protect the same while work is proceeding, ignoring the regulation properly to light decks when bunker hatches are open, and various similar offences; and whether efforts are being made to increase the number of competent inspectors in order to secure the observation of dock regulations?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe district inspector reported the accident without delay to the superintending inspector, but the latter decided, after having himself fully investigated the circumstances, that no prosecution could be successfully undertaken. The main cause of the accident was neglect to ascertain the weight of the package before it was attached to the crane, and I am informed that immediately after the accident the company in question altered their arrangements so as to avoid any similar accident in future. Breaches of the regulations referred to in the latter part of the question are particularly difficult to check, but special arrangements have been made for enforcing these regulations, and a number of successful prosecutions have recently been undertaken, including four convictions since the beginning of last year for failure 2389 to provide proper gangways, and four for unfenced hatchways. All possible steps will be taken to enforce these regulations, and arrangements are being made for increasing the time given to dock inspection.
§ Mr. WIGNALLMay I ask whether it is the duty of the factory inspector or of the Department to decide upon prosecutions, and can the right hon. Gentleman give a reply to the latter part of the question as to the intention of the Department to appoint a larger number of Inspectors?
§ Mr. SHORTTThere will be no further increase in the number of Inspectors at present. We are trying to arrange for a readjustment that will meet the case. With regard to the first supplementary Question, it is a question for the Department.