§ Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the increase in the number of fatalities in Scotland arising from coal-gas poisoning, he will appoint a technical committee to investigate the reason for the rapid increase and to make recommendations.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI have been asked to reply.
A technical committee of the Gas Council's Watson House Research Centre has been at work on this problem since May, 1954. More recently the Council has, at my request, appointed a Safety in the Homes Committee representative of 140W the 12 area gas boards to ensure that the best practice affecting the safety of installations and appliances is followed throughout the country. As the majority of gas poisoning accidents happen to old people, the Committee is enlisting the help of the various social organisations concerned with the problems of old age.