§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Minister of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the fact that in some Government T. N. T. factories there are many breaches in the regulations designed to safeguard the health of the workers; is he aware that the exhaust ventilation provided is imperfect and inadequate; that the mess-room, cloak-room, and washing accommodation is also inadequate; and that the distinction between the clean and dirty side of factories has been abandoned, so that the garments of those engaged on poisonous and non-poisonous processes mingle together; and will he say what action he proposes to take to improve the conditions?
§ Dr. ADDISONA set of rules for observance in T.N.T. factories has recently been issued by the Ministry. These embody the practice which has proved most successful in T.N.T. factories, and it is my intention to ensure that the rules as published are complied with in all T.N.T. factories. I shall be glad if the Noble Lord will supply me with the names of the factories to which he refers.
§ 31. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Minister of Munitions whether ho is aware that the system of alternation of work is necessary in all T.N.T. factories if grave injury to health and risk of death is to be avoided; and will he say why no such system has been arranged for in a Government T.N.T. factory in the North-Western district, employing over 2,000 men, where the great majority work continuously, and in how many T.N.T. factories is the system of alternation of work not yet arranged?
§ Dr. ADDISONAlternation of work has been practised wherever possible. In the case of the factory referred to there have 894 up to the present moment been insuperable difficulties in the way of introducing this system since there is no work available to substitute for the filling of shells. The general question, however, and the particular position of the factory referred to are being constantly watched. Recent returns from this factory are not disquieting. I should add that scientific opinion as to the value of alternation of work is not absolutely decided. It is still a question whether it is not better to trust to the principle of eliminating the sick at an early stage and to remove preventable causes rather than to attempt to avoid disease by the process of alternation of work.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sickness percentage runs from 5 to 10 per cent., and that at this factory the rate is as high as 10 per cent., whereas in other shell factories it is only about 2 per cent?
§ Dr. ADDISONI do not think that is the case. I know that the rate at this factory is high, but we are doing our best to deal with it. We cannot provide alternative employment, because we have no other employment to offer.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs there not a factory three miles away where they could be employed?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe cannot, where they are working fortnightly shifts, send the workers from one factory to another.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKYou have alternative employment in other factories?
§ Dr. ADDISONIn this particular case it is not possible to offer other work, because we have no other work to offer.