§ 62. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a recent strike in Lithgow's yard, Greenock, arose out of a demand of the management that the riveters erect their own scaffolding; that several fatal and other accidents had already taken place arising out of faulty 797 scaffolding; and will he take steps to see that the regulations, which lay it down that specially qualified men should be employed for the erection of scaffolding, are carried out?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)According to my information, the question of riveters erecting certain parts of the staging was raised in the course of the negotiations between the men and the management, but was not the primary cause of the strike. I am advised that none of the recent staging accidents at the yard in question appears to have been due to faulty scaffolding, but the question of compliance with the regulation as to erection of stages by staging gangs will be gone into by the Factory Department.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that what is now taking place in the yard is bringing about a situation in which fatal accidents may occur at any time? Will he take steps to see that everything possible is done to carry out the regulations.
§ Mr. LLOYDThe suggestion in the first part of the supplementary question is not in accord with my information; but I do not think I can at this stage add anything to what I said, namely, that the factory inspectors are going to conduct an investigation.