§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the far higher percentage of tuberculosis among slate quarrymen working in sheds, as compared with those employed in the open air, owing to the injurious effect of dust in confined spaces; and whether he will approach quarry owners with a view to devising practical means of improving conditions?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI have been asked to reply. The Report of a recent inquiry carried out under the Welsh Board of Health among slate quarrymen and slate workers in the Gwyrfai rural district states that slate workers in sheds there are exposed to injurious dust and that mortality from tuberculosis is higher among such workers than among quarriers. My right hon. Friend is considering with his Health Advisory Committee the suggestions in the Report for 411W further investigation, and meanwhile the question of improving conditions has been taken up with the slate quarry owners by by His Majesty's Inspectors.