§ MR. MONK (Gloucester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that safety matches of a better quality than those introduced from abroad, and of which yellow phosphorus is not a component part, can be readily manufactured in this country, and can be retailed in London and the provinces at 1½d. per dozen; and whether he would consider the desirability of obtaining power to make the sale of phosphorus matches illegal, as injurious to the health of the operatives and dangerous to those who use them?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. W. RIDLEY,) Lancs, BlackpoolYes, I am aware that safety matches of British manufacture, which claim to be made with out yellow phosphorus, can be bought at about the price named, but I can hardly I think, enter upon the question of their comparative quality, even although I have had the advantage of a present of a box from the honourable Member. As regards the second paragraph, I must await the results of the inquiry now being made at 628 home and abroad before coming to any decision; but the honourable Member is no doubt aware that it is claimed that by the adoption of certain methods the use of white or yellow phosphorus can be rendered harmless.