§ 41. Mr. HILLSasked whether the conference upon the new rules for lead processes in the potteries, due to be held on 25th November, has been held; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe inquiry under Section 81 of the Factory Act with regard to the draft regulations was held on the 25th of November and two following days, and the Home Office expects to receive the Report of His Honour Judge Ruegg, who was appointed to hold it, very shortly.
§ 42. Mr. HILLSasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to an inquest held in Stoke Workhouse on 2nd December, upon John Piper, a glost placer, of Longton; whether he is aware that the coroner stated that in Piper's case the rules with reference to medical examination of workers in lead processes had been absolutely ignored; that the deceased had been working in lead processes for five years, during which period it was possible that he had never been medically examined at all; and what steps he intends to take?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHYes, Sir; my right hon. Friend has received a report on this case and the proceedings at the inquest. The man was a casual worker, and exact particulars as to his previous employment are not ascertainable. It appears, however, that there was serious neglect in the observance of the provisions in the special rules with regard to the examination of casual workers, and the firm by whom the man was last employed has been severely cautioned. As the man has not been employed in a lead process since 1911, it is not now possible to take proceedings. The new rules, which will be in operation shortly, contains further provisions in regard to the examination of casual workers.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWhat steps do the Department propose to take to see that the proper observance of these rules is carried out. Otherwise what is the use of any rules at all?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe new rules will shortly be, in operation, and the inspectors, of course, will do their best to give them effect.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs the hon. Gentleman aware that lead poisoning is one of those diseases which may be entirely eliminated, and will he see that the new rules are carried to such a point as to make lead poisoning impossible?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThat is a very controversial matter, of course.
§ 44. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the Home Secretary whether he has made any further inquiry as to whether one firm in the spelter trade employ their speltermen six days only in one week regularly; and, if so, can he state the result of such inquiry?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI understand that the occupier of one small works in the Swansea district has, during the last four weeks, been trying the experiment of dispensing with Sunday labour. I have no particulars at present as to how the work is arranged, or as to how far the experiment is proving successful.
§ 49. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has inquired into the hours worked by speltermen in the Swansea district over a period of time covering three weeks; and, if so, can he state the result?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe Home Office has asked for some further particulars on the subject, but has not yet received them.
§ 50. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked whether the speltermen engaged in the Swansea district are the only workmen engaged in a trade scheduled as dangerous who work seven days weekly the whole year round?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHNo returns are required to be made to the Home Office as to the hours of employment of adult males in the different industries of the country, but I am informed that there are workers employed regularly on Sundays in at least two other industries which are scheduled as dangerous trades under the Factory Act, namely, chemical works and lead smelting.
§ Mr. C. DUNCANDoes any lead poisoning take place in these chemical works?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI must have notice of that question.
§ 51. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the Home Secretary whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to the period of time a workman engaged as a spelterman can work at this specific occupation continuously before he is found to have contracted lead poisoning?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHOnly a small percentage of the men employed in this industry ever contract lead poisoning. In the case of those who are attacked, the 758 period of employment before attack varies according to the workers' susceptibility to lead and other causes.