HC Deb 21 June 1928 vol 218 cc1731-3
5. Mr. DAY

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to an accident which happened at the Margate amusement park on Saturday, 16th June, in which the fastenings holding a revolving mechanical amusement machine called the Flying Boat suddenly gave way and caused the death of four persons and injured four others; whether these and other similar amusement machines are regularly inspected; and will he consider the introduction of legislation making regular inspections necessary of all such machines so as to safeguard the lives of the public?

12. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Home Secretary whether tests are made from time to time of the reliability of pleasure-ground machinery; and, if not, whether, in view of the accident which occurred at Margate last Saturday, he will take steps to see that adequate inspection of such machinery is made in future by his Department?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

So far as I am aware there is no general law which requires or empowers any public authority to inspect or test this kind of machinery, and I have no power to take any action in the matter. I am afraid I cannot suggest any legislation which would provide an effective safeguard against accidents of this nature, which I believe have fortunately been rare.

Mr. DAY

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the inquest; and has he noted the fact that this machine was made in Germany, that it is owned by a German, and that it had been put up by inexperienced hands; and does he not think that legislation should be brought in to safeguard the lives of the British public?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Naturally, I have seen the report of the coroner's inquest, and, naturally, I am considering the difficulty raised. I think there has been no other case of the kind before, and consequently Parliament has not legislated for it, but I will consider the whole matter.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Is it not the case that an action for negligence would lie if the facts warranted it?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

That is a matter on which I ought not to give an answer. If the facts did warrant it, and if there was negligence, I assume an action would lie.

Mr. DAY

Did the right hon. Gentleman see the statement that the man who owned the machine had to buy it on the hire purchase plan?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

No.

Mr. R. MORRISON

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement that before this man was allowed to put up the machine in London, an inspector from the London County Council tested it to make sure that it was safe, but that there was no such inspection in Margate. Are not the same powers possessed by the local authority in Margate as by the London County Council?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

In any case, that would not be a matter for my Department. If there are such powers in the London County Council, they have been conferred by special Act of Parliament. Whether there is one in the case of Margate or not, I could not say.

Mr. HAYES

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a similar fatality 12 months ago at Southend when a young man was killed? If not, I can send him particulars of it.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I shall be most grateful to the hon. Member.