§ MR. JOWETT (Bradford, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any special inquiry is being made into the cause of the recent increase of fatal cases from lead poisoning in the Potteries.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The figures of fatal and non-fatal cases of lead poisoning for the first two months of this year show ten cases, as against nineteen for the corresponding months of the year before. But of these ten cases four have been fatal, as against none for the first two months of last year. With small numbers irregularities are sure to arise in the records of accidents of all kinds. I do not think any explanation can be given of the number of deaths for this year, which I am informed appear to be 1299 due to chronic kidney disease originated by lead poisoning of old standing.