asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the gas explosions which have taken place in the streets of London during the last few months, any officers of his Department have had an opportunity of testing, during that period, any new inventions which it is claimed will prevent gas explosions; and whether the results have been satisfactory?

Attention has been called to one device of the kind in question. As the hon. Member is aware, a Commission of Inquiry is considering the question of how the risks to life and property caused by gas explosions can be minimised, and, until they have reported, it would be premature to consider the merits of particular devices.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that it would be desirable to test the device to which he refers with a view to preventing any future accidents of this kind?

As I have said in my reply, it would be rather a mistake to consider particular devices until the Commissioners have diagnosed the probable causes of the disasters.