§ MR. HOWELLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of a workman who 94 applied to the Bethnal Green Guardians for relief, by reason of incapacity brought on by working in a white-lead factory, his wrists being rendered useless for work after so working for the space of six years; whether anything can further be done to lessen the unhealthy nature of such work and render white-lead factories less dangerous to the health of those who are employed in them; and whether the Factory Inspectors keep the Home Office fully informed as to the preventive measures necessary in such factories?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe case to which my hon. Friend refers is one of a class which are, I fear, not uncommon, though happily less frequent than they used to be. With a view of ascertaining what improvements could be made in the Special Rules which regulate the white-lead industry, an exhaustive inquiry has been made by a Departmental Committee, who have visited various works in different parts of the country, and collected a mass of evidence. They are now preparing their Report for the information of the Secretary of State, and I understand that it will be completed in a few days.
§ SIR F. S. POWELL (Wigan)Is it intended to publish the evidence?
§ MR. ASQUITHI must see the Report before I decide that.