17. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the existence among mine workers in the Durham coalfield of many cases of asthma, alleged to be due to the reek from shot-firing; and whether he will make an investigation into this matter?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir; but as I said in reply to the hon. Member on 21st February, if he will furnish me with any reliable information at his disposal, I shall be glad to study it.
Mr. AdamsDoes the Minister not think that that is an unreasonable request to make to the hon. Member for Consett? I am giving him a general statement; this disease undoubtedly prevails. Will the Minister not look into the matter with a view to remedying it?
§ Captain CrookshankI asked the hon. Member, as long ago as 21st February, to send me any evidence he had and said that I should be glad to examine it, and as I have not received any evidence from him I presume that he could not find any.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that in the mines of Africa it was agreed by the experts that silicosis was the highest single cause of death?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir, I am not aware of that of my own knowledge, and, anyhow, this question deals with coal mines in Durham and with asthma, and not silicosis.
§ Mr. GriffithsMuch the same thing.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the Minister not aware that from time to time this form of disease has been mixed up with silicosis by his Department, and that they have denied that it was silicosis? There really have been cases of this disease.