§ MR. J. WILLIAMS (Glamorganshire, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the badly ventilated and insanitary condition of nearly the whole of the tin works situate at Pontardulais, South Wales; and whether he is aware that the conditions under which work is carried on at those works are conducive to sickness, severe illness, and, in some cases, consumption; and whether, if such conditions exist, he will cause instructions to be given to the owners thereof to make the work, and to 719 carry out the improvements necessary for the preservation of the health of the workmen thereat.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have no information as to any specific cases of illness at the works in question, but I am aware that, not only at these works but in tinplate works generally, the conditions as regards ventilation need considerable improvement, and the question of the best means to secure the removal of fumes and dust has been receiving special attention from the Factory Department. During the last three months a large number of works have been visited by the inspector and special inquiries made, and various experiments are now being carried out at different works. When the results of these experiments are known, the possibility of further action will be considered.