HC Deb 28 February 1957 vol 565 cc1374-5
15. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken by his factory inspectors to co-operate in establishing causes of the recent fire at the Jaguar car factory at Coventry.

Mr. Carr

An inspector from the Coventry district office visited the factory the morning after the fire. The district inspector has had discussions with officers of the Coventry Fire Brigade and other experts.

The provisions of the Factories Act relating to fire are concerned with the safety of workpeople and I am glad to say that they all appear to have been properly observed.

Mr. Nahum

Can my hon. Friend say whether any form of Government report on the causes of this fire is to be published, having regard to a number of special factors and circumstances of wide industrial and public interest?

Mr. Carr

We are certainly obtaining a most detailed report from all the people concerned, and I will consider my hon. Friend's point about publishing such a report.

Mr. Edelman

Is it not the case that the chief officer of the Coventry Fire Brigade gave a solemn warning to the management of the Jaguar factory that there was a very serious fire hazard resulting from the form of lining used—a soft insulating board—in the factory? In view of the catastrophe to human life that might have occurred had it not been for the prompt action of the Coventry and district fire brigades, will the hon. Gentleman say whether the fact that no action was taken was due to confusion as to who should take responsibility for acting on the advice given by the chief officer of the Coventry Fire Brigade?

Mr. Carr

I should like to look into that point. The hon. Member has raised matters of which I have no knowledge. I should certainly like to re-emphasise that, according to my information at the moment, all the regulations required by the Factories Act were being properly observed. In view of the excellent record of this company, not only in its products but in its relationships with its work-people and the care which it takes of them, I should not like to substantiate what the hon. Member for Coventry, North (Mr. Edelman) says without looking into the matter very carefully.