§ Mr. THORNEasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to an inquest held at the Ilford town hall on an employé of an asbestos firm at Barking who died from asbestos poisoning; if he is aware that asbestosis is prevalent in asbestos factories, especially at Barking; and whether he is prepared to schedule this disease under the Dangerous Diseases Act?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have received a report from the Factory Department on the case referred to by my hon. Friend. As I stated in reply to a question on the 11th November, a comprehensive investigation has been recently made by one of the medical inspectors of factories into the occurrence of this disease among asbestos workers generally, and the report of this inquiry has just reached me. This report is receiving my careful consideration both as regards the preventive measures to be taken and as regards the question of bringing the disease under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act. I should add that the investigation did not disclose any special incidence of the disease at the Barking works where the exhaust ventilation (which is the chief means of prevention) is quite up to the general standard and is being constantly improved.