§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary the number of cases of lead poisoning among painters for the months of January, February, March, April, and May of 1927, and for the same months of 1928; and what steps are taken to see that the Regulations under the Lead Paints Act are being enforced?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe number of cases reported for the first five months of 1927 was 33, and for the same period in 1928, 40. All cases of lead poisoning and complaints are fully investigated by the factory inspectors. It has always been recognised that on account of the special conditions under which the industry is carried on it would be necessary to rely to a large extent on the co-operation of the industry itself for securing general compliance with the Regulations. With this object, conferences were arranged with the employers' and operatives' associations, and I am glad to state that both sides have taken steps to impress on their members the importance of a strict observance of the Regulations and have promised to assist the Department in every possible way.