§ MR. R. MCKENNA (Monmouth, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a petition from working potters in Burslem, Hanley, and the districts in which recent deaths, blindness, and other suffering have occurred from lead poisoning, asking that a female inspector be appointed for the potteries; and whether, in view of the large number of women and young persons employed, amongst whom the greatest sufferers from, lead poisoning are found, he will consider the desirability of appointing a female inspector to take charge of the district under the control of the chief inspector?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI have received the petition to which the honourable 1380 Member refers, and have consented to receive a deputation from the district on the subject. In these circumstances I should prefer not to make any statement at present.