§ Mr. E. STRAUSSasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest held at the Coroner's. Court, Southwark, on the 29th June, 1916, upon the body of Benjamin Morgan, aged fifty-one years, a waterside labourer, who died in Guy's Hospital from cutaneous anthrax contracted during his work at the New Hibernia Wharf, or Hay's Wharf, Southwark, while handling infected Persian or China wool from bales; and, if so and in view of the fact that several deaths have recently been caused by this deadly disease in and around London, will he take such action, by legislation or otherwise, so that the provisions of the Factory and Workshops Acts can be extended or enlarged so as to apply to the wharves and warehouses and other places where foreign or suspect wool, hides, skins, horse and goat hair, pigs' bristles, and other material liable to be infected with anthrax are handled and dealt with, and that the preventative regulations, including placards in picture form, issued by the Home Office should be compulsorily exhibited and enforced for the information and well-being of the workers in such wharves and warehouses?
§ Mr. BRACEThe Home Office has received a letter from the coroner drawing attention to the proceedings at the inquest on this case. The danger of anthrax in connection with the handling of wool bales at wharves and warehouses has recently come into prominence, and the question of the steps to be taken to protect persons employed in such premises has been under the consideration of the Department. I propose asking the Departmental Committee which is now considering the question of anthrax in the wool industry to make inquiry into this subject, and pending the receipt of a report from them, I am arranging for a circular to be issued to the occupiers of such premises calling their attention to the danger, and recommending the adoption of certain precautionary measures which will include the posting and exhibition of the picture-placard to which the hon. Member refers. In a number of 55W instances the placard in question has already been issued to the occupiers of wharves and warehouses.