MR. HERBERT LEWIS () Flint, &c.I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a Departmental Committee has been appointed to consider the conditions under which chemical workers carry on their employment; and, if so, whether he will state the terms of Reference, and when the Committee may be expected to present their Report?
§ MR. CHANNING () Northampton, E.Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I also ask him if he is in a position to say what progress has been made by the Departmental Committee inquiring into dangerous and unhealthy industries, such as the white lead?
§ The SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.Yes, Sir; it is the fact that such a Committee has been appointed. The terms of Reference require the Committee to deal with the matter both generally and in the case of alkali works and the manufacture of bichromate and chromium compounds, with particular reference to the following points:—(1) How far these manufactures, as at present carried on, injuriously affect the health of the workpeople, and how far 1343 the injurious effects depend upon the age and sex of the operatives; (2) what means can be adopted to abate the injurious effects of the manufacture; (3) what special regulations should be adopted to protect vats and other dangerous places and utensils used in the manufacture? As regards the date when the Committee may be expected to present their Report, I can only say that the field of the inquiry is an extensive one. Much valuable information has been obtained at Widnes and St. Helens; but the Committee still propose to visit such important centres as Flintshire, Glasgow, Northwich, and Newcastle, and therefore I do not think their Report can reasonably be expected until next month. In answer to the hon. Member for East Northamptonshire, a Committee is inquiring into the white lead and kindred industries. It is making an extensive investigation, and will, I hope, report in a very short time.