§ 19. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to prevent loss of life caused by defective gas mains.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe gas boards are now spending over £5 million a year on the maintenance of gas mains, and they have a day and night service to deal with any escape of gas as soon as it is reported.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Minister aware that recently there have been several unfortunate deaths from this cause, and that in one case it was ascertained that the mains had not been thoroughly examined since they were first laid in 1888? What is being done to speed things up in that direction?
§ Mr. LloydThe very cold weather constitutes a special danger with regard to the fracture of gas mains.
§ Mr. HastingsIs there any means of ascertaining when corroding of gas mains has taken place so that leakage is imminent?