§ 74. Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a number of deaths have occurred of employés of the Cape Asbestos Works, Barking, through inhaling asbestos dust, and that in an inquest held at Walthamstow, on Monday, 15th June, on Charles E. Salinger, aged 36, of 59, Rancliffe Road, East Ham, it was proved that he left the firm six years ago; and whether, as the present regulations do not cover 35 workers employed in the warehouses, etc., the Government have any intention in altering the present regulations to cover all workers employed in this dangerous trade?
§ Mr. LLOYDIt appears from the evidence at the inquest that out of the nine years during which the deceased was employed at these works he was employed for at least the last seven years in a department to which the regulations now in force apply. I am advised that there is no reason to suppose that his previous employment as a packer was in any way responsible for his contracting the disease, and that no case exists at present for any extension of the regulations.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the regulations only apply to the productive side of the factory; and will he consider the advisability of extending them so as to make them apply to the warehouses, owing to the number of people affected?
§ Mr. LLOYDA special inquiry was held and found no evidence to show that there was danger in those departments.