§ MR. MADDISON (Sheffield, Brightside)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a man employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, named Charles George Bassett, has been discharged on the plea that he absented himself from work without leave, whereas it was caused by illness certified by five medical men as due to lead poisoning contracted at the factory; and whether he will direct that a special inquiry shall be held into all the circumstances of the case, including the absence of the necessary precautions in the department where the lead work was done.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.I have to thank the Honourable Member for having twice postponed this Question. The Secretary of State has caused careful inquiry to be made into the case of Charles George Bassett. Bassett was discharged from the Enfield Factory on November 1st because he refused to do certain machine-work, involving very little exertion, to which he was put. Two civilian medical officers certified that he was then no longer suffering from lead poisoning, and was fit to follow the occupation provided for him. The present somewhat unsatisfactory condition of his general health is, in the opinion of the Medical Officer of the Waltham Abbey Factory, who recently examined him, due to a cause totally different from lead poisoning; but, in order to remove any doubt that may possibly remain upon the subject, the Secretary of State will have a further medical examination made, and the result shall be communicated to the honourable Member. It is not the fact that the necessary precautions in the department where lead work is done are not observed.