§ *SIR CHARLES DILKEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state who tests 281 for the Home Office samples of glaze when application is made by manufacturers of china and earthenware for various exemptions from certain of the special rules; how many such samples have been tested since the new special rules came into force; and what arrangements are made for testing samples taken from time to time from firms working under such exemptions.
§ *MR. RITCHIEThe present arrangements is that sample of glaze, whether formally submitted by manufacturers or taken by the inspectors, are referred to the Government Laboratory for examination as to insolubility or absence of lead. So far there are only nineteen firms under the exemptions which depend on the question of lead, the earliest dating from April 5th and the latest from July 25th last. Of these, sixteen relate to leadless glazes, two to the 5 per cent, standard of lead, and one to the 2 per cent. standard. Few samples have yet been taken; but the inspectors will have instructions to take them from time to time in such a way as to test the observance of the rules.