§ MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the injuries to health resulting from the practice of "noddling" or adulteration of yarn with lead products for the purpose of increasing its 966 weight; if this practice was covered by the inquiry of the Lead Industries Department Committee; and if any special rules applicable to it have been framed under Section 8 of the Factory Act, 1891?
§ *MR. ASQUITHI am informed that the practice of "noddling" consists in stretching hanks of yarn on pegs, and then combing the rough portions, previous to their being twisted, pressed, and packed; and that, in "noddling" yarn which has been dyed a yellow or orange colour, and which has been passed through a mixture of acetate of lead and bichromate of potash, (not for the purpose of adding to its weight but in order to produce those colours), a good deal of fibre and lead dust is given off, with consequent risk of injury to health of the women and girls employed. Dye-works were not included in the reference to the Departmental Committee on White Lead Industries, but by my direction special inquiries are being made by the Inspectors of Factories throughout the United Kingdom as to what manufacturing processes in the various trades are dangerous to the health of the workpeople, with a view to the issue of special rules when necessary, and amongst others, the process referred to in the question has been noted for special attention.