§ 35. Mr. Silvermanasked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that local authorities have sufficient powers to compel the adequate strengthening of the glass roofs of cotton mills which are at present a source of such peril to cotton workers?
§ Mr. MabaneUnder the Civil Defence Act no obligation is placed upon the proprietors of cotton mills to strengthen glass roofs. Nevertheless, the importance of this matter is fully recognised, particularly in order to enable workers to carry on after the alert and my right hon. Friend is considering further measures to diminish the risk of casualties from glass.
§ Mr. SilvermanIs the hon. Gentleman aware that on two separate occasions in the last few months I have requested delegations from Lancashire, who were anxious to interview him on the subject, to refrain from coming, on the express representation to me by his Department that regulations were being made in order to cover this point? If those regulations have been made, will he now receive delegations?
§ Mr. MabanePerhaps the hon. Member will indicate the nature of those express representations.
§ Mr. SilvermanThey came to me from the hon. Gentleman's private secretary.