§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the use of leadless glaze ware is continued to be specified in contracts for china and earthenware by, or undertaken by other Departments on the advice of, the Office of Works; and whether the advice of the Office of Works in this matter is still asked by the Admiralty, the War Office, the India Office, and other Departments, or whether Questions should be put separately to them, and to the Post Office in respect of the purchase of insulators; whether he has any reason to suppose that there is combination on the part of many manufacturers or dealers not to supply articles made with leadless glaze except at special prices, higher than those originally set upon such articles when the policy of preference to leadless glaze was originally adopted by the Office of Works, the Admiralty, and other Public Departments.
§ * THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, RossendaleAmended special rules under the Factory and Workshop Acts, for the manufacture and decoration of earthenware and china, have been issued by the Home Office in the form established after arbitration by the awards of the umpire, Lord James of Hereford. These rules allow the use of lead glaze if the amount of soluble lead does not exceed five per cent. Experience having shown that strict adherence to the policy of using leadless glaze rendered it extremely difficult to obtain competitive tenders and considerably enhanced expenditure, the Office of Works has recently followed the example of the Home Office in accepting lead-glazed articles in accordance with the 450 above rules. The advice of the Office of Works has not been sought lately by the other Departments mentioned; and I am unable to answer for them as to supplies under their control. I have no evidence of such a combination as is referred to by my right hon. friend; but if he has any information which he is willing to give me I shall gladly receive and, if necessary, act upon it.
§ * SIR CHARLES DILKEAre any steps taken to test at the Government offices set apart for the purpose any of the articles supplied from time to time in order to see that the five per cent. is not exceeded?
§ * MR. HARCOURTI believe that tests are made, but how frequently I am not able at this moment to say.