§ 8. Colonel APPLINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of Japanese hair brushes and tooth brushes of a very cheap quality have been recently imported into this country; if he can give the number and value of these brushes; and what steps he is taking to protect the public from the risk of anthrax and British brushmakers from being thrown out of employment thereby?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe answer is rather a long one, and contains a table of figures. I will, accordingly, with the permission of my hon. and gallant Friend, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MACKINDERMay we have an answer to the latter part of the question with regard to the steps taken to protect the public?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf there is any question to be asked really relating to that, it should be put to the Home Office.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINIs it not a fact that the hairs of these brushes come out, and cause appendicitis?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should require notice of that question, but I think it probably ought to be addressed to the Ministry of Health, and I certainly could not give an answer without notice.
§ Following is the reply
§ The imports of toilet brushes consigned from Japan in the first three months of 1003 this year compare as follows with those in the corresponding period of 1925:
| — | January March, 1925. | January March, 1926. |
| Tooth Brushes—Dozens | 184,274 | 123,753 |
| Value | 24,308 | 17,349 |
| Other Toilet—Dozens | 19,149 | 16,598 |
| Brushes. Value | 18,066 | 14,015 |
§ In answer to the rest of the question, the necessity for action to guard against risk of anthrax is a matter for the consideration of the Home Secretary; whilst as regards employment, the Commit-tee of Inquiry which I recently appointed, reported after a very thorough investigation that the brush industry did not fulfil the conditions laid down in the White Paper relating to the Safeguarding of Industries.