§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Home Secretary whether there are any statistics showing the percentage of men engaged in coal-trimming on ships who contract disease as a result of their occupation; whether any inspection is carried out of the conditions under which the men work; whether any consideration has been given to the possibility of introducing machinery which would render the occupation less unhealthy; whether further legislation in this direction is necessary; and, if so, will he take whatever steps are necessary as soon as practicable?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe Home Office has no information to show that coal-trimmers are specially liable to any disease in consequence of their occupation, and has not hitherto received any representations on the subject. If the right hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases he has in mind and the injurious conditions to which they are attributed, I shall be glad to make inquiry.