Mr. WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the employment of women in the making of bricks and sanitary pipes at Spring Cottage, near Moira, Leicestershire, and at Gresley, in South Derbyshire; and, seeing that the character of the work is having a deleterious effect upon the women employed, and that several cases of anemia have already resulted, will his Department make a full inquiry into the matter and report upon the nature of this work, its suitability or otherwise for women workers, and the wages paid to them?
936Wyears 1925 to the present date, respectively; and how many have proved fatal?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe table which follows shows the numbers of deaths of British seamen serving on vessels registered in the United Kingdom which were reported in each of the years 1925 to 1928, as due to malaria, dysentery, or tuberculosis. Particulars of non-fatal cases are not available, and could only be obtained by examining the official log books of all ships for the period.
§ Mr. CLYNESThe chief inspector reports that no complaint has been received as to the conditions of work at Spring Cottage, and that he has no information to show that the workers there are suffering in health. He is arranging for a medical inspector to visit the works, but this inquiry would be greatly assisted if the hon. Member could supply information in regard to any cases of ill-health which may have come to his notice. A complaint regarding the conditions of work at Gresley was received in 1927, and investigated by one of the medical inspectors, but no cases of anæmia were observed and the health of the women did not appear to be otherwise adversely 937W affected. A great deal of attention has been paid to this industry by the medical inspectors, who have visited a large number of works during the last few years and made special inquiries into the effects of the work on the women. The reports show that the work is by nature somewhat rough, dirty and laborious, but they do not indicate that it is unsuitable. Improvements in the welfare arrangements are under consideration, and a meeting has been arranged between the Factory Department and the Joint Industrial Council of the clay industry, which will take place next week, to discuss the matter.