§ Mr. HODGEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any inquiry has been made by his Department into the death of two men, in the early part of this month, caused by the slipping 766W of a ladder, whereby a safety-valve was released, both men being scalded by steam, the one dying almost instantly and the other in a few hours; whether he has any official information showing that accidents due to the slipping of ladders are frequent; and, if he has no power at present, will he introduce legislation to compel the use of appliances to prevent such slipping?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis accident was investigated by the factory inspector, who also attended the inquest. From the report which I have received it appears to have occurred while the two men were moving the ladder, not while they were at work upon it. Accidents due to the slipping of ladders only come within the jurisdiction of my Department when they occur in factories, buildings in course of construction, and other premises under the Factory Act, and information is not available as to the frequency or otherwise of accidents from this cause, except in connection with the construction of buildings. As regards buildings, the attention of builders has been called to the importance of ladders having a level and solid footing, and being securely fixed; and the matter was also considered by the Departmental Committee, who made a recommendation on the subject. As the hon. Member is aware, a Bill is in draft for enabling the Department to give effect to the recommendations of that Committee. With regard to factories and workshops generally, the use of ladders is so varied that it would be difficult to lay down any general regulation, but the inspectors have already been, and will again be, directed to give attention to the matter.