HC Deb 23 January 1902 vol 101 cc671-2
MR. COGHILL (Stoke-on-Trent)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that, on the 19th December, a coroner's jury found that Alfred Jagger, of No. 4 Back Williamson Buildings, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, a painter's labourer, died from the effects of lead poisoning; and, whether, in view of the cases of lead poisoning occurring amongst house painters, he proposes this session to introduce any special legislation for their prevention.

* THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE,) Croydon

The facts are as stated in the first paragraph of the Question; but the man was not a house painter as my hon. friend would seem to imply. He was one of the workmen employed by a firm of manufacturers who are now, at the suggestion of the Factory Inspector, introducing improvements in their works. As regards the second paragraph, I am of the same opinion as on the 5th of March last, when, in answer to a similar question by my hon. friend I said that I did not see my way to introducing the legislation suggested.