§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to recent statements in The Star newspaper, alleging that a large amount of suffering is entailed upon workmen engaged in the manufacture of the colours known as emerald green and Milan red: whether he is aware that this manufacture has been scheduled under "The Factory Act, 1891," as a dangerous calling; and whether it is possible to frame such regulations as would render the operations innocuous to the workmen engaged; and, if not, whether he is prepared to follow the example of some Continental countries, and prohibit the particular process in question?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.My attention was some time ago called to recent statements that a large amount of suffering is entailed upon workmen engaged in the manufacture of the colours known as emerald green and Milan red by my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General, whose constituents are interested in the subject. I have requested two of Her Majesty's Inspectors to make an exhaustive inquiry. They are consulting medical experts on the subject, and their investigations are now approaching com- 1035 pletion. I expect to have their Report in the course of next week, and I hope that I shall then be in a position to take more active measures.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)Is the right hon. Gentleman also inquiring into the manufacture of white lead?
§ MR. ASQUITHYes, Sir.