§ 11. Mr. LUMLEYasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fatal accident which occurred in a Hull factory on 15th November; when the factory was last inspected; and whether he proposes to issue any special instructions to factory inspectors or to require the makers of the machines concerned to take any special action in view of the recommendation of the jury and the remarks of the coroner at the inquest?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have received reports from the Factory Department which show that this accident was due to an explosion of a steam-heated iron plate. The circumstances were of an unusual character and are being further investigated. The firm have replaced all the existing plates by gas-heated plates. The factory was last inspected on the 21st July last. The attention of the staff will be called to the case and the advisability of providing safeguards will be discussed with the makers. No provision on the subject is contained in the existing Acts, but the point will be considered in the next Bill.