HC Deb 22 March 1928 vol 215 cc545-6
17. Mr. KELLY

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the Reports he has received on artificial silk factories from Lancashire and Derbyshire indicate that the occupation is harmful to health?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The answer is in the negative. In the case of the Derbyshire works certain complaints were received in 1925 and 1926, but extensive alterations have since been made both in the plant and buildings, and no further complaints have been received for a considerable time.

Mr. KELLY

Have any cases of blindness due to working in this industry been mentioned in any reports that have been recently received?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I can only say, as I have said in my answer, that no complaints have been received by my Department for some considerable time past. If the hon. Member has information as to anything in the nature of blindness as a result of working in this industry, I think it is his duty, almost, to send it to me, when I will certainly inquire into it.

Mr. MAXTON

Are there any facts to show that, in the countries where the artificial silk industry has been established, any definite trade diseases have been developed, and that special precautions are necessary to prevent them?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

As the hon. Member knows, it is a new industry. My inspectors are watching it most carefully, and all that I can say at present is that we have no evidence to establish its being dangerous in any particular. As I have said, however, to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Kelly), if he or any other Member has information which would be useful to the inspectors of my Department, I shall be most grateful if he will send it to me.

Mr. KELLY

I will certainly take advantage of the right hon. Gentleman's invitation. May I ask him whether he is aware of any report recently received in which his inspectors have mentioned any cases of people's eyesight being affected, or of people being operated upon for blindness?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

No, Sir. The hon. Member, in his question, asked me whether we had received any report in reference to artificial silk factories to indicate that the occupation is harmful to health. The answer is as I have said, in the negative.