HC Deb 22 December 1938 vol 342 cc3108-9W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with an accident at the Maidstone Corporation electricity works in which a man was killed; and what was the cause of the accident?

Sir S. Hoare

I have no information at present about such an accident, but I will have inquiry made.

Mr. Thorne

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information with regard to an accident at Ringswood Place, Lee, where a man was killed; and what was the cause of the accident?

Sir S. Hoare

I am assuming that the hon. Member is referring to the death of David Houlton, aged 61, at Kingswood Hall, Lee. I understand he was on some staging for the purpose of drilling holes in a window-frame and fell off the staging. At the inquest yesterday a pathologist who had made a post-mortem examination stated that in his opinion the deceased had had a seizure, and the jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

Mr. Thorne

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with an accident at the Ipswich Gas Works, where two men were killed; and what was the cause of the accident?

Sir S. Hoare

I understand that two days ago two men who were at the top of a gasholder were fatally overcome by gas. The circumstances are being investigated and the inquest opens to-morrow; and I cannot say more at present.