§ 42. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the dangerous nature of the work of men engaged in the manufacture of sheep-dip in consequence of the amount of arsenic which is used in the process; that after a certain time symptoms of poisoning develop and, owing to the serious illnesses of men engaged on this class of work at Barking Creek factory, inspectors have ordered the management of the firm to supply special washing basins and nail brushes and one pint of milk per day to each employé; and whether he is prepared to issue regulations on these lines to make it obligatory on all firms manufacturing sheep-dip similar to the instructions issued by the Minister of Agriculture in this connection?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am advised that these processes are liable to give rise to diseases of the skin, but the number of such cases reported in the last few years has been quite small. The Factory Department have not been able to trace any recent cases of a serious character at the Barking factory, and it 17 is presumed that the cases referred to by the hon. Member must have occurred some years ago. The main precautions to be taken are the provision of adequate exhaust ventilation and suitable washing facilities, but these can be already secured in all cases where arsenic is used under the existing provisions of the Factory Act, and I am advised that no additional Regulations are necessary.