§ 22. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the recent fatal accidents on fair grounds; and if he will introduce legislation to enable him to take action to prevent a repetition of the defects which have caused the loss of life.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)I have heard of three such accidents this year in which three persons were fatally injured. 514 Reports before me suggest that in one case there was structural defect in a machine, in another ineffective maintenance, and in the third case no defect of machinery or of maintenance occurred. I doubt if legislation could effectively prevent such accidents which, I am glad to say, are relatively very few.
§ Mr. ShepherdIs it not a fact that no one is responsible for supervising fairs in any way whatsoever, whereas there is investigation following road and factory accidents? What action does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take?
§ Mr. EdeThe figures I have given indicate that the problem is not very great, and I cannot see on whom the responsibility for inspecting these machines should be placed.