§ 5. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the high carbon monoxide content in gas supplied in this country which makes escapes of gas difficult to detect; and whether he will make regulations, under Section 67 of the Gas Act, 1948, to ensure that gas shall have a more characteristic smell, in order to protect the public from the danger of unknowingly inhaling it.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe law already provides that gas must have a distinctive smell.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the Minister aware that the sole occupant of an all-electric house 856 was gassed with fatal results on 26th November last, and that the vicar of that parish sealed a room in his own house and read a book without detecting the gas? Is he also aware that the gas supply in my own district has contained 15 per cent. carbon monoxide, which is lethal?
§ Mr. LloydAll gas supplied by the gas boards and by the old companies has a concentration of carbon monoxide above the lethal level, and that is the reason for providing that gas must have a distinctive smell, but if the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars of the instances he has mentioned, I will have them examined carefully.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerIn view of the number of accidents in caravans or boats from butane or bottled gas, will my right hon. Friend say whether the statutory obligations he mentioned apply to bottled gas?