Dr. MORGANasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will cause an investigation to be made by his Department as to the metallic-locking sockets in use on the steel scaffolding now in use on the Houses of Parliament and their comparative safety and efficiency; and whether he is aware that certain tests demonstrate that the present type of sockets used by the present contracting firm does not hold and that there are great doubts as to its safety?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI can assure my hon. Friend that full consideration has already been given to the types of sockets and all other components of the steel scaffolding now in use or in course of erection at the Houses of Parliament, and that no section of the scaffolding has been or will be accepted for use from the contracting firms concerned unless and until the Department is satisfied that it is satisfactory in all respects. I do not know to what tests my hon. Friend refers in the last part of his question, but I am prepared to consider any evidence which he is in a position to submit to me.