§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the President of the Board of Trade, seeing that since the War period the percentage of carbon monoxide, the chief poisonous constituent of coal gas, has been raised from 7 per cent. to as much as 15 per cent., and in some cases 20 per cent., and that such increase militates against the recovery of persons accidentally poisoned by gas, whether steps can be taken to ensure that the thermal efficiency is obtained in some
England and Wales. Deaths registered during the years 1913 and 1927, which have been classified to gaseous poisoning, distinguishing Accident and Suicide. Nature of Gas as stated in Death Registers. 1913. 1927. Accident. Suicide. Accident. Suicide. Coal gas … 40 130 148 994 Carbon dioxide … 8 2 4 — Carbon monoxide … 11 4 29 — Other, or not stated, gases, fumes, etc. … 30 24 14 4 Totals … 89 160 195 998 NOTE.—The number of deaths shown above under "Accident" include a number of cases for which "Open Verdicts" were returned at inquests.