§ MR. PARKER (Halifax)On behalf of the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Summerbell) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the fact that there are 250,000 persons employed in the manufacture of tin and black-plate; that the manufacture of such articles takes place under unhealthy and dangerous conditions; and, if so, whether it is his intention to afford more inspection to tin-plate works.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe number of persons employed in the manufacture of black and tin-plate in this country is, I think, very much smaller than that stated in the Question. I am unable to give the exact figures, as in the factory department's tables the industry is included under the heading " Conversion of iron into steel, etc."; but the total number under this heading in 1901 was 138,093, and the black and tin-plate workers would form only a small part. According to the figures of the 1901 census the number employed in the manufacture of tin plate was just over 15,000. The industry was made the subject of special inquiry in the years 1899 to 1901, and a conference was held with the manufacturers at which certain suggestions for protecting the workers against injurious fumes and dust were discussed. I will call for a special report as to the progress that has been made since then and the present conditions of the industry.