HC Deb 14 May 1925 vol 183 cc2001-2
19 Lord HENRY CAVENDISHBENTINCK

asked the Home Secretary if he has any information as to the number of master painters who have caused the waterproof sandpaper to be used in all house-painting work; and whether he is aware that of those who did so cause it to be used many have since gone back to the ordinary glasspaper as a more practical material for the work involved?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have no information as to the first part of this question. As regards the second part, inquiries have been made of firms who deal in waterproof sandpaper, and it appears that there has been a very substantial increase recently in the sale of this sandpaper. Part of this increase may be due to its use by other classes of painters, but one may reasonably infer that its use by house painters has increased rather than diminished.

20 Lord H. CAVENDISH-ENTINCK

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a copy of a resolution from the joint council of the painting trade, dated 23rd January, 1925, stating that, whereas they co-operated with the Home Office in drawing up a code of Regulations for the painting trade, it was on the assumption that these Regulations were in pursuance of the compromise arrived at in the Convention, and that they cannot support any Bill differing in essentials or providing a less degree of protection for the worker than that provided by the Convention; and whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision to exclude the Clause prohibiting the use of lead for interior house painting?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The answer to the latter part is in the negative.