HC Deb 22 June 1916 vol 83 cc313-4
81. Mr. ROWLANDS

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that an inquest was held on 13th May on Annie E. Baron, who died on 7th May, at Bridlington, when the doctor said the illness was due to urœnic poison caused by working in an atmosphere of dope which contained a poison known as tetra-chlorethane; whether he is aware that on 17th May an inquest was held at Southampton on Annie Metcalf, who worked at the Belvedere works on dope varnishing; will he say whether the doctor who made the post-mortem examination stated that he thought that the continued breathing of the fumes of the varnish which the deceased used at her work had circulated into the system and had set up jaundice, which was the cause of death; and, if so, can he state what further steps are being taken to secure the use of non-poisonous dope?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)

I regret that the facts are as stated. As I explained in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Dept-ford on the 11th May, the arrangements for securing an adequate supply of an approved non-poisonous dope were maturing and will be completed, I hope, very shortly. Meanwhile, much is being done to minimise the danger by the use of such other non-poisonous dopes as are available and are found suitable by the Admiralty and War Office, and by an increasing observance of the detailed precautions in regard to ventilation, periodic medical examination, and other matters, which have been laid down in the instructions issued by the Factory Department.

Mr. ROWLANDS

Are all non-poisonous dopes in the market being utilised at the present time, or are we to have more of these deaths before we arrive at a non-poisonous dope?

Mr. BRACE

All non-poisonous dopes which the Admiralty and the War Office consider suitable for the purpose are used by them. The Admiralty and War Office are developing as fast as they can a non-poisonous dope for all purposes.

Mr. ROWLANDS

Can they not really expedite the provision of these non-poisonous dopes in view of the number of lives being continually lost from the poisonous dopes?

Mr. BRACE

I will note what the hon. Gentleman says, but the War Office and the Admiralty are doing their best.