§ 51. Major OWENasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the returns made by the sanitary inspectors to the meeting of the Gwyrfai Rural Council on Saturday last, showing the mortality from tuberculosis in the district for the last 12 months, and that out of 54 deaths among a total population of 24,000, 17 were quarrymen; whether he is aware that the belief is widely prevalent in the district that, among that class of workmen, the incidence of tuberculosis is abnormally high in consequence of the injurious effect of slate dust; and whether he will institute an inquiry into this matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy attention has been called to a report in the Press of the meeting referred to, from which I gather that information to the effect of the first part of the question was discussed at the meeting, and that a statement was made to the effect of the second part of the question. I propose 1378 to direct one of my medical officers to visit the district with a view to making inquiries as to the incidence of tuberculosis.