HC Deb 10 May 1898 vol 57 c843
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in accordance with his promise given on the 2nd instant, he has made further inquiry into the case of Cornelius Lean, lately employed at the match factory of Messrs. Bryant and May, who was poisoned by the yellow phosphorus used in the manufacture; whether he proposes to direct that proceedings shall be taken against the occupier of the factory and the factory doctor respectively for neglecting to give the notices required by Section 29 of the Factory Act, 1895; and whether it is intended to prosecute the factory doctor, under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, upon a charge of wilfully mis-stating the cause of death upon the medical certificate?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT

Yes, I have made further inquiries, and a report of the result has been received this morning in the Home Office, which requires very serious consideration. I have not yet bad time to examine the report; but by Thursday I shall be in a position to say what steps I propose to take.