§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the disastrous fire which took place yesterday at a chemical works in Bow, during which people living in adjacent houses were exposed to great danger and two families were rendered homeless; and if, in view of the fact that this is the third occasion on which very serious and alarming fires have taken place at these works, he will order an immediate public inquiry into the causes of these outbreaks, and what steps can be taken to prevent them in future, so as to allay the anxiety which afflicts residents in the neighbourhood
§ Mr. HACKINGFactory inspectors are already engaged in investigating the cause of this fire, and will also investigate the records of previous fires at these works, and their causes. My right hon. Friend is fully alive to the desirability of clearing up the causes of serious and alarming fires of this kind and of allaying public anxiety, and, as soon as he receives the report of the inspectors, he will at once consider what further steps are necessary.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI am much obliged.