§ 2. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been called to the fatal accident to the boy of eight years of age at 24, Ogilvie Street, Parkhead, Glasgow, who fell on spiked railings; and if he will consider introducing legislation to give Scottish local authorities power to prevent the erection of such railings on buildings?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not satisfied, on the information before me, that legislation is required on this subject.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, since this question was put down, another child has been impaled in Glasgow, and has died as a result, and that numbers of tradesmen, through slipping from the roofs of buildings, have been killed on these spiked railings when otherwise their lives might have been saved; and cannot he consider trying to do something to save human life in that respect?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI can only answer with regard to the case on which the hon. Member addressed his question to me. In that case, the boy fell from a height of 30 feet, and, if he had not fallen on the railings, he would have fallen on the concrete pavement. If any local authority asks for these powers, certainly the request will receive the Government's most careful consideration.
§ Mr. McGOVERNWill not the right hon. Gentleman and the Government seriously consider taking action? I myself fell 40 feet, and, had I not just escaped some spiked railings, I might have been killed, and you would have lost my company in consequence.