§ 38. Mr. HOLMESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that mustard-gas shells are being emptied or 1151 otherwise dealt with at the munitions factory at Longwith, thereby causing danger to the public health in the locality, that several persons have been affected in the streets, and that when the wind is in a certain direction the fumes penetrate into the adjacent colliery shaft; and whether he will give instructions for the work to be discontinued?
§ The DEPUTY-MINISTER Of MONITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)No mustard-gas shells have been dealt with in any way at His Majesty's factory, Longwith, but a certain number of cylinders containing gas have been emptied at the factory. The information before me does not bear out the suggestion contained in the question, but I am at once sending a medical officer to make a further report.