§ 18. Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he has received a report from his factory inspector in connection 540 with a crane accident at Otters-pool Bridge, near Stockport, Cheshire, when two men were killed and one seriously injured; whether the crane was carrying more than its registered load; whether the jib-arm of the crane was faulty; and on what date was the machinery last examined?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand this accident occurred in connection with a civil engineering work, which is not subject to the Factory Acts. It appears, however, from inquiries I have made that only one man, the crane driver, was killed and no others injured, that the load was well within the registered safe load, that there was no evidence of the jib being faulty, that the machine was examined by the insurance company's inspector last December and subsequently overhauled.
§ 19. Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he has received a report from his factory inspector in connection with the death of Frederick Ost, aged 72, and Wallace Holmes, aged 55 years, of Queenborough, Kent, who lost their lives through being overcome by fumes at the Sheppey Glue and Chemical Works, Queenborough; whether there was a breach of the factory regulations committed; what provision was made for the men to have masks when cleaning out tanks that gave off dangerous fumes; whether in future the tanks will have to stand for a number of days so that any obnoxious gases may escape; and whether the dependants of the two men will be adequately compensated?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThis accident, which occurred on the 5th instant, is still under investigation and the inquest has been adjourned until the 26th. At present therefore I am not in a position to make any statement.