§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether there are any Home Office regulations governing the sheep-dip workers; whether there are any Home Office regulations or instructions given to the persons who purchase sheep dip; and if they are advised as to how it should be used?
Mr. GUINNESSI have been asked to reply. So far as I am aware, there are no Home Office Regulations regarding either workers who are engaged in the manufacture of sheep dips1908W or those engaged in dipping sheep. There are no Home Office Regulations or instructions given to persons who purchase sheep dip, the sale of which is governed by Regulations made by the Privy Council under the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts. These Regulations in the case of dips containing arsenic require that the dip must be sold in a closed package distinctly labelled "poison," and with a notice of the special purpose for which the preparation is intended, and can only be sold upon an order in writing given by or on behalf of a person, firm or body corporate known to the vendor and purchased for the purpose of the trade or profession of such person or firm. If the sheep dip contains carbolic acid, it must be sold in a closed vessel labelled "poisonous," bearing the name and address of the seller and stating the special purpose for which it is intended. In addition, the Ministry, under the Sheep Scab Order of 1928, requires that all packages containing dips must be labelled with a label approved by the Ministry. These labels state the proportion in which the dip should be mixed, and if it contains arsenic, the fact must be mentioned. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a leaflet which has been prepared by the Ministry and is widely distributed for the purpose of advising persons how to use sheep dips.