§ 7. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to three serious cases of lead poisoning in one factory in the potteries during 1926 affecting young women aged 19, 23, and 24, respectively, one proving fatal; and what steps does he propose taking with regard to the use of lead in this factory in future?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe three cases referred to occurred in a factory in which until this year no case of lead poisoning had been reported since 1913, about which time the factory was reconstructed; but it appears that recently the system of exhaust ventilation has not been maintained in an efficient state, and the matter has been actively taken up by my Department.
§ Mr. DAVIESDoes that mean that the right hon. Gentleman will see to it that the Regulations in the factories will be enforced?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSUndoubtedly. This case is a bad one and it is being very carefully dealt with by my Department.
§ Mr. HARDIEWill the Home Secretary see to it that, before anyone makes any alteration in the ventilation where such a business is carried on, he has an assurance from his inspectors that the system which is going to be adopted is an efficient one?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think I had better only say that the inspectors are very careful, but if the hon. Gentleman likes to put down a definite question on that point as to whether they have power to interfere beforehand, I will give him a definite answer.