§ MR. L. R. HOLLAND (Bow, Tower Hamlets)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he would consider the wisdom of instituting an inquiry into the working of the existing special rules bearing on the sickness and mortality in the Potteries, and the advisability of referring such inquiry to one of the Departmental Committees now investigating dangerous trades, such, for example, as that which has the advantage of the services of Dr. Oliver?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Right Hon. Sir M. W. RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolI have observed with concern the number of cases of lead poisoning which still occur in certain branches of earthenware manufacture. The special rules to which the hon. Member refers were based on the recommendations of a Committee which made a full inquiry into the subject in 1893: and I hardly think it necessary at present to refer the subject again to the Committee. Constant attention, how- 489 ever, has been given to the subject by the Factory Inspectors, and I have directed special inquiry to be made into the working of the rules, and I shall be prepared, if necessary, to amend them, and to take any steps that may be required to secure their being strictly observed by employers and employed.