§ 2.40 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make following upon the inquiry into 1121 the fire in Glasgow on May 4 in which thirteen young girls lost their lives.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WORKS (LORD MORRISON)My Lords, at the inquiry held under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Act, 1895, the jury unanimously found that the fire broke out from an undiscovered cause in a small compartment underneath a wooden staircase and adjacent to the lift shaft; that it spread throughout the building within a few minutes; that owing to the inflammable nature of the stock and the extreme youth of many of the employees specific precautions, such as fire extinguishers and an adequate warning system, should have been taken against an outbreak of fire; that the fixture of a padlock on the escape door of the fourth floor delayed exit to the fire escape; and that the fire brigade functioned with efficiency. The jury added an expression of their sympathy with the bereaved, and of their admiration of the gallantry of Mr. Solomon Winetrobe and Mr. George Platt, two of the employees in the building, who at great personal risk assisted five women to escape.
When the transcript of the evidence at the inquiry is available, it will be carefully considered, and any salient points affecting fire prevention measures will be brought to the notice of lire authorities. The Government hope that one result of this tragic event will be a marked increase in the number of applications by the owners or occupiers of premises where there is any appreciable fire risk for advice, which is free, from the fire prevention officers of fire brigades.
LORD CLYDESMUIRMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the information he has given about this sad occurrence. May I also be assured that the inspectorate will be vigilant to see that the necessary precautions are observed?
§ LORD MORRISONMy Lords, I think I can give that assurance. As the noble Lord probably knows, there has not yet been sufficient time to permit of the inspection, under Section 1, subsection (1) (d), of the Fire Services Act, 1947, of all premises but no doubt this unfortunate calamity will have the effect of hastening that inspection.