§ Mr. HILLSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the draft regulations for the manufacture and decoration of pottery, based on the Majority Report of the Departmental Committee on lead, were issued several months ago; and, if so, what is the reason for the delay in laying them upon the Table of the House of Commons?
1879W
§ Mr. McKENNAThe draft regulations referred to were issued on the 6th of September and the period of forty days was allowed, in pursuance of the Act, for the submission of objections by or on behalf of persons affected. Two hundred and forty-three such objections were lodged. Most of the objectors accept the main principles embodied in the draft, but ask for modifications in regard to details which it is suggested would press hardly on certain branches of the industry without materially improving the conditions of work. The term "pottery" includes a large number of trades differing considerably in their methods of manufacture, and widely scattered over the country, and these objections have necessitated visits by one of the inspectors to a number of works in different districts. The points raised have not yet been fully dealt with and some further time must elapse before the difficulties of all the varied branches of the industry can be disposed of, but there seems reasons to hope that this may be accomplished without a public inquiry. If this proves to be the case a very considerable saving of time in bringing the regulations into force will have been effected.