§ 79. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the death of Arthur Leonard Ball, of Stratford, a research worker employed at Woolwich Arsenal; if inquiry has been made as to whether death was due to fumes from nitroglycerine; and if he proposes to take any action to avoid any future occurrence of this character?
§ Mr. COOPERYes, Sir, I have seen a report of the inquest at which the Coroner recorded in his verdict that the death was accelerated by the deceased having come into contact with some chemical poison allied to nitroglycerine. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that nitroglycerine poisoning is an extremely rare occurrence and may imply a pre-disposition on the part of the individual which cannot unfortunately be ascertained beforehand. But instructions are being issued that, if any worker feels indisposed as a possible result of contact with the materials he is using, he must at once report the fact to his superior.