§ 26. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked what number of workpeople have been disabled and the number who have died from lead-poisoning contracted in the spelter works in the South Wales district since this disease was scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Act?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe number of cases of lead-poisoning in spelter works in South Wales reported to the Factory Department since 1st July, 1907, the date on which the Compensation Act came into force, is seventy-seven, of which four were fatal. I am unable to say in how many of the non-fatal cases the workman was disabled from earning full wages at the work at which he was employed, so as to come within the provisions of the Compensation Act. I may add that since the beginning of 1910 the number of cases has shown a marked decrease, as compared with the figures for the years 1908 and 1909, the total being twenty-six, of which one was fatal.