§ Mr. GILLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received from the central office at the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolution of the association recommending the adoption of various regulations respecting hygiene in printing works and type foundries; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have received through the British section of the association a communication calling any attention to the resolution referred to in the question. The general powers which are given by the Factory Act are found sufficient at present to deal with the conditions of employment in printing works in this country, and the need for additional regulations has not yet been established. The recommendations, however, of the association have been noted and the British Section has been so informed.
§ Mr. GILLasked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the central office of the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolution of the association recommending certain principles for the regulation of work in caissons; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have received through the British section of the association a communication calling my attention to the resolution referred to in the question. There is no power at present to make regulations in regard to caisson work, but the question has been engaging the attention of the Home Office, and proposals to give the Department power to deal with this and some other matters in connection with works of construction were contained in the Buildings and Engineering Works Bill, which has been introduced in some previous Sessions. The recommendations of the association have been noted, and will be considered in the event of the Bill becoming law.
§ Mr. GILLfurther asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the central office of the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolu- 367 tion of the association recommending that the use of lead paints and colours should be prohibited for interior work, and that all receptacles containing lead should be required to be clearly marked to that effect; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have received through the British section of the association a communication calling my attention to the resolution referred to in the question. The question of the use of lead in paints is now being investigated by two Departmental Committees, and I do not propose to take any action in the matter pending the receipt of their reports. In any case, further legislation would be necessary before effect could be given to the recommendation of the association that the use of lead should be prohibited for interior work. I have informed the British section that the recommendations have been noted.
§ Mr. GILLalso asked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the central office of the International Association for Labour Legislation at Basle a petition drawing his attention to a resolution of the association recommending that the use of lead glaze should be prohibited in the manufacture of china and earthenware fired at a high temperature; that in the manufacture of earthenware fired at a low temperature a list of articles should be drawn up for which no lead should be allowed; that occupiers should be assisted by the Government in making experiments into the use of lead glazes; and, if so, what reply has been sent as to what steps he proposes to take?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have received through the British section of the association a communication calling my attention to the resolution referred to in the question. The question of the use of lead in the manufacture of pottery has recently been the subject of an exhaustive investigation in this country by a Departmental Committee, who did not see their way to recommend restrictions on the use of lead as suggested by the association, but submitted instead proposals for more stringent regulation of the conditions of employment, which the Home Office are taking steps to bring into effect. The conclusions of the Committee must, I think, in the present state of knowledge on this subject, be accepted as final.