§ COLONEL McCALMONT, (Antrim, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Thomas Stephens, a deaf mute, who has been compelled to leave his employment in the foundry works of Messrs. Combe, Barbour, and Combe, in Belfast, through the action of the Inspector of Factories, 859 the reason assigned being that the work was dangerous on account of the boy's deafness. And whether there is anything in the Factory and Workshops Act prohibiting the employment of a deaf and dumb boy, over 14 years of age, in a place where there is machinery; if not, whether he will acquaint the firm in question that they are at liberty to afford the boy an opportunity of earning his livelihood?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYMy attention has been called to this case. No child or young person under the age of 16 can be employed in a factory, either among machinery or elsewhere, unless he be certified as fit for employment in that factory by the certifying surgeon. In the present case, the certificate has been refused so far as work near machinery is concerned, but granted as regards file cutting. I cannot undertake the responsibility of interfering with the discretion of the surgeon in such a matter. It is obvious that in certain circumstances the employment of a deaf mute near machinery might be attended with serious danger.