§ 29. Mr. OSWALD LEWISasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a proposal that the doors leading to the auditorium at the Covent Garden Opera House should, on special occasions, be locked at the commencement of the performance to prevent late comers from disturbing the audience; and whether he will consider what steps should be taken to prevent the adoption of this practice, either at the Covent Garden Opera House or any other place of entertainment in this country, having regard to the great danger of such a course in the event of panic arising from the outbreak of fire or any other cause?
Captain CROOKSHANKMy right hon. Friend has not heard of any such proposal, and he is informed that no doors leading to the auditorium were locked at the Opera House on Monday. Such a practice is generally forbidden by the authorities licensing places of entertainment, and, in the Manual of Safety Requirements in Theatres and other places of public entertainment recently issued by the Home Office to local authorities, it is definitely recommended that there should be no locks or bolts other than panic bolts on any exist door or barrier while the public are present.