§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the death rate in the tool grinding and polishing industry; that a large percentage of the men suffer from phthisis; that the men in question are not scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Act as a dangerous trade; and whether, in consequence of the death rate and the amount of illness through this virulent disease, he can see his way clear to have an inquiry into the trade or he will have it scheduled as a dangerous trade?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe workers employed in certain sections of the metal-grinding trades do undoubtedly incur serious risk from the disease known as fibroid phthisis or silicosis, and a special inquiry into these trades is already in progress with a view to supplementing the Regulations at 919W present in force for the prevention of the disease and to making a scheme or schemes of compensation under the special powers given for this purpose by the Workmen's Compensation (Silicosis) Act of 1918. The inquiry is a difficult one and has to cover a wide field, but it is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible.