§ 18. Mr. VIANTasked the Home Secretary the dates of the conferences held since 15th December, 1926, with representatives of the painting and decorating industry, for the purpose of arriving at agreement in connection with the circular recently issued for the regulation of the use of white lead in paint; and whether there was unanimity on the points raised in the circular?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs the answer is a long one I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ I am glad to have this opportunity of correcting a misunderstanding which has arisen in connection with the explanatory letter issued with the draft Regulations under the Lead Paint Act. The letter stated that the terms of the Regulations had been discussed at a series of conferences with the industry at which a complete agreement was arrived at. The reference here was to certain conferences which had taken place in 1922 for the purpose of determining what Regulations could be made in the event of the Geneva 536 Convention being ratified, but the statement has apparently been taken in some quarters to imply that conferences had been held subsequently to the passing of the Act, and that the draft Regulations were the outcome of a fresh agreement. This was not the case and no such implication was intended or conveyed. The sole object of the circular was to remind the industry of the previous discussions and the agreement then reached, which applied not only to external painting but also to internal painting during the interval before the prohibition was to take effect.
§ Since the issue of the draft Regulations there has been a further meeting with representatives of the industry. This resulted, I am informed, in general agreement on the points discussed.