§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state when the Home Office proposals with regard to lead poisoning in the manufacture of china and earthenware, which were contained in a circular to manufacturers issued on 14th December, 1899, and again submitted to them as proposed special rules in August, 1900, are to be formally issued as special rules.
§ * MR. RITCHIEMuch progress has been made towards a settlement of the special rules for the china and earthenware trade, but there are certain points still outstanding, and one of them involves a chemical question on which I am now waiting for a report from Dr. Thorpe, principal chemist to the Government. I hope to be able formally to issue the new rules early next year.