§ 9. Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he has received any report from the factory inspector in the Croydon area in respect to the accident which occurred in connection with a goods lift, resulting in the death of a man and a youth; arid whether he intends to cause an inquiry into the circumstances with a view to ascertaining the cause of the accident?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand that the Factory Department are inquiring into this accident and that the inquest stands adjourned until the 29th instant.
§ Mr. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman instruct the inspector in question to find out whether there was any safety catch so that if the lift dropped it could be prevented from falling?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the accident happened during the installation of the lift and not during its operation; and that the factory inspectors are quite able to do their jobs without intervention from outside?
Viscountess ASTORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a shortage of factory inspectors, and will he do his best to have them increased?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe whole of this question is now under investigation. The inquest has been adjourned, and the officers of my Department are fully cognisant with the problem and take all the steps that are necessary.