§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any information to the effect that the sale of phosphorous matches is strictly prohibited in Norway and Sweden, but that the manufacture in those countries is still permitted for export to this country.
§ MR. GLADSTONEMy information is that the sale of lucifer matches containing white or yellow phosphorous is forbidden in the two countries mentioned, but not the manufacture for export.
MR. STANLEY WILSON (Yorkshire, E.R., Holderness)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of imposing a tariff on foreign matches?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. BYLESasked if British matchmakers were not perfectly prepared to do without white phosphorous, and could he not prohibit its importation.
§ MR. GLADSTONECommunications are taking place with the manufacturers. I do not think they are ready at the present time to discontinue the use of white phosphorous, and in any case legislation would be required to stop its importation.