§ 69. Mr. HANNONasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the recent experience of the Office of Works has demonstrated that leadless paints do not possess the quality of durability in the same degree as lead paints; whether the use of leadless paints has been shown to be less economical than that of lead paints; whether any estimate can be given of the cost of the maintenance of public buildings by the use of leadless paints since 1906 compared with the cost of maintenance by the use of white lead and other lead paints from 1892 to 1906; and whether any Report has been prepared by His Majesty's Office of Works on the subject of the relative economic values of lead paints and leadless paints?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOUR (for the First Commissioner of Works)In connection with the consideration by the Government of the general question of the prohibition of the use of lead paints, which is to be discussed at the International Labour Conference next October, the experience of the Office of Works with leadless paints is being carefully reviewed for the information of the Home Office, and I am not in a position at the present time to make any statement on the subject.