§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the tragic death of Frederick Blatchford, a shipwright employed in the Devonport Dockyard, on 30th December, 1910; whether he is aware of the circumstances attending the accident, namely, that the hatchway down 1686W which the deceased fell was not closed, that the electric light was not burning, and that no look-out was provided; whether he is aware of the censure passed by the coroner, and whether this censure included the statement that nine out of every ten accidents the coroner had to deal with ought to have been prevented; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter so as to prevent the loss of valuable lives in the future by similar acts of gross negligence?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe facts are substantially as stated. The electric light was not in use in that part of the vessel, but the alternative system, namely, by Colomb's candle lamps, was provided, and one of these lamps was immediately over the locker where the accident happened. Dockyard men, when working on board, are supplied with candles, and it is quite usual for them to carry out their work without any other lights. Additional instructions are being issued to secure greater safeguards from risk of accident in places not electrically lighted. It is not considered that negligence can fairly be urged against anyone for this regrettable accident.