HC Deb 12 April 1923 vol 162 cc1286-7
35. Mr. JOHN DAVISON

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the number of serious accidents fatal and otherwise, which occur in shipbuilding and ship-repairing yards, he has come to any decision to institute a special inquiry into the means necessary to secure a higher standard of safety?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Yes, Sir, I have decided to appoint a Departmental Committee whose terms of reference will be to inquire into the circumstances and causes of accidents in shipbuilding and ship repairing and to report that further measures for their prevention are desirable, My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has agreed to act as Chairman, and the other members of the Committee will consist of representatives of the employers and workers affected and a representative of the Factory Department of the Home Office.

Mr. HARDIE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an effort is being made by the employers to transfer the responsibility of staging in shipyards to the men, and will he take steps to stop that now when the Committee gets to business?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should put that question down.

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