§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the Report by Miss Squires,. His Majesty's Inspector of Factories, that in one thread factory she found forty little girls all licking and moistening adhesive labels by the mouth, the number of labels so treated being about thirty gross per girl per day; that the tongues of most of the girls had the polished tip and brown coating characteristic of label lickers, and that the girls complained that the work made them feel sick at times; and whether, in the absence of legislation on such points, he will give the name of the firm referred to that public opinion may be exerted in the matter.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI think there would be objections to publishing the name of this particular firm. As regards the practice referred to, I may say that it formed the subject of inquiry some years ago by a Departmental Committee of which the hon. Member for Berwickshire was Chairman, and they did not see their way to proposing its prohibition. The inspectors have instructions to recommend the use of dampers and the abolition of the practice as far as possible.
§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEYSeeing that the inspectors have reported that nothing but legislation will stop the practice, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to amend the law?
§ MR. GLADSTONEsaid the matter had been carefully inquired into, and it had not been found possible to introduce 333 legislation to stop the objectionable practice.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOURDoes the right hon. Gentleman say that the Home Office does not consider the practice injurious, but only objectionable?
§ MR. GLADSTONEThere is no proof that it is actually injurious to health.
§ MR. HUNTAre little girls worked in this way in the factories of the great protective countries of Europe?
§ [No Answer was returned.]