§ MR. TENNANT (Berwickshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in France the Government issue of lucifer matches to strike everywhere is marked "sans phosphore"; and whether, in view of the serious disclosures revealed by the recent prosecution of Messrs. Bryant and May, and the statement by that firm that it is only for the manufacture of the matches which strike everywhere that yellow phosphorus is required, he will confer with the French Government with a view to prohibiting the use of yellow phosphorus?
§ The following Questions on the same subject also appeared on the Paper—
§ MR. HOLLAND (Tower Hamlets, Bow)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the cases of poisoning from the use of yellow phosphorus, which have only lately been brought to light long after their occurrence, and in view of the large number of girls and women employed in match and other factories in London, he will consider the advisability of appointing more women factory inspectors and arranging that one or more of them should be specially appointed to the London district?
§ MR. PROVAND (Glasgow, Blackfriars)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the trial of a case on the 1st instant for breaches of the Factory and Workshop Acts of 1891 and 1895, in connection with the use of phosphorus in manufacturing lucifer matches; and whether he intends to institute an inquiry into the circumstances of the case, either with the view of amending the law in order to prevent any repetition of such breaches, or by altering the present methods of appointing and paying the certifying surgeons, or by the appointment of women as inspectors or otherwise?
§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fines inflicted on Messrs. Bryant and May, and the number of cases of phosphorus poisoning admitted to by their managing director; and, in view of these circumstances, will he consult the Law Officers of the Crown on the possibility of taking criminal proceedings against those who have been workpeople at Bryant and May's by their illegal actions; and whether he will at once issue an order for the total prohibition of the use of yellow phosphorus in the manufacture of matches?
§ MR. MCARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)Before the questions are answered I wish to ask the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the danger of phosphorus poisoning may be obviated 863 by modern machinery capable of making, drying, and boxing the matches, without contact with or even close proximity to the worker, coupled with an improved system of ventilation, and whether before taking the drastic course suggested he will make inquiries as to the system adopted in match factories other than Bryant and May's?
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolIn reply to the honourable Member for Liverpool, I have to say that I am, through the inspector of factories, aware of the machinery and appliances to which he alludes, and so far I have had nothing but satisfactory accounts of them. But it is too early to give any conclusive opinion about them. I am making inquiries as to the use of yellow phosphorus in France and other foreign countries. The suggestion of a conference seems to me somewhat premature at the present stage. I may also say, in reply to the questions of the honourable Members for Glasgow and Stepney on the same subject, that the prosecution they refer to was ordered by me and is the result of inquiries made by the factory inspectors at my request. I am now considering what further steps I shall take in the matter, particularly in the direction of strengthening the special rules and securing additional medical inspection; but though I have power to regulate I have none to prohibit the use of yellow phosphorus. I should like it to be clearly understood that the medical man who failed so seriously in his duty in this case was the works doctor, and not the certifying surgeon. The latter, who, I may say emphatically, by the nature of his appointment, is a perfectly independent medical man, was in no way concerned in this case, and had no power to intervene. The answer to the remaining question is that the lady inspectors have their headquarters in London, and their services are available in the fullest manner for the inspection of the match factories in the London district.
§ MR. STEADMANI wish to ask the right honourable Gentleman whether the firm of Messrs. Bryant and May, by evading the law, has not caused the death of the man Leon, and are responsible for 864 the man's death so far as a criminal prosecution is concerned?
§ MR. SPEAKERThe honourable Member must give notice of a question of that kind, and it would require considerable alteration.
§ MR. BURNS (Battersea)May I ask whether, having regard to the proved serious neglect of duty by Bryant and May's medical officer, the Home Secretary will lay such conduct before the Royal College of Surgeons for their consideration and their publicly-expected duty in relation thereto?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI think that is a question of which I ought to have notice. The whole subject, I may repeat, is under my most anxious consideration.