§ MR. CROOKSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case of death from phosphorus poisoning that occurred at the Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum, due to a recent attack of phossy jaw; and, if so, will he say what steps he intends to take, in view of the fact that the patent used by Messrs. Bryant and May is stated to be innocuous.
§ *MR. AKERS-DOUGLASThis case has been reported to the Factory Department and carefully investigated by the district and medical inspectors of factories, as well as by the certifying surgeon. There seems to be no doubt that the case was one of phosphorus necrosis, but nothing was elicited by the inquiry or at the inquest showing how or when the disease was contracted. It appeared that the woman who died on the 19th May, 1904, had not worked at Bryant and May's factory since the autumn of 1902, except for one short period of throe days. There does net appear to be any further action that I can take.
§ MR. CROOKSIs it not the fact that this woman had worked there for thirty-four years, and will not the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, make further inquiry.
§ *MR. AKERS-DOUGLASI am aware that she did work there for a number of years, but there war, a considerable interval between that and the appearance of the disease.
§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)During the three days temporary duty was she on dangerous work?
§ *MR. AKERS-DOUGLASNot according to my information, which I will, however, verify by further inquiry.