HC Deb 06 July 1899 vol 74 cc30-1
MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)

On behalf of the hon. Member for Hanley I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is in a position to state the results of the monthly examinations of women and young persons employed in processes of pottery where lead compounds are used for the six months of the current year, compared with the like period of 1898 before the examinations were instituted; and will he also say what has been the experience during the same comparative periods of other trades. subject to plumbism where no such periodical examinations of the workers are required as those provided for by the Home Office Rules of last year.

* SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

Comparing the first six months of 1898 with the first six months of 1899 it appears that the number of reported cases of lead poisoning in the china and earthenware industry has diminished from 223 to 160, while as regards notification of lead poisoning generally there has been some increase in the number of reported cases. The diminution in the china and earthenware industry is probably due, in part at any rate, to the monthly medical examination.

SIR CHARLES DILKE

Do not the figures vary much from month to month, so as to render any comparison fallacious?

* SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

Undoubtedly there is a great variation, but I think on the whole there is a satisfactory decrease in regard to the earthenware industry.

MR. TENNANT

Is it not the fact that the monthly examination produced such poor results that new rules had to be issued last year?

* SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

The figures which I have given refer rather to the pottery than to the white lead industry.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

On behalf of the hon. Member for Hanley, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now able to give an analysis of the official statistics of lead poisoning, distinguishing the cases of a serious, slight, or doubtful character.

* SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

Of the 160 cases of lead poisoning reported in the china and earthenware industry 77 are classed as slight, 72 as moderate or severe, and in 11 cases the degree of severity is not stated. Out of the 160 cases 22 may be regarded as doubtful, on the ground that the certifying surgeon did not consider that there were unmistakable symptoms of lead poisoning. It must be remembered that the occupier sometimes reports cases in which a medical man has not been consulted.