§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to say what action, if any, is to be taken in connection with the accident which occurred recently at the Heaton Bleaching Mills, Blackley, Manchester, when four youths lots their lives?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe reports show that this accident arose from the accidental admission of scalding liquor into a kier, and that this was due to a momentary lapse on the part of a kier-man. It would have been prevented if a recommendation made by a factory inspector some years ago had been observed, but this recommendation was not based on any specific provision of the Factory Acts and no breach of those Acts was involved. The question of the precautions to be taken against accidents from this cause was discussed at conferences with the industry in 1914, but, owing to the diversity of the plant, the agreement then reached provided only in general terms that the means adopted should be the best possible having regard to the circumstances of each case. Accidents of this kind have been very rare, but the recent case has shown the need for more specific requirements, and I have approved a proposal of the chief inspector to convene at an early date a special meeting of the trade associations concerned to discuss the position.