HC Deb 01 December 1938 vol 342 cc609-10W
Mr. Trevor Cox

asked the Home Secretary whether he will specifically refer the question of women and girls who develop severe rheumatism which prevents them continuing work owing to the moist atmosphere in cotton mills to the proposed Royal Commission on Workmen's Compensation?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend has no information on this subject which he could appropriately bring to the notice of the Royal Commission and he osberves that in the report issued by the Industrial Health Research Board in 1927 on the effect of artificial humidification in cotton mills on the sickness rates of weaving operatives did not support any view that those employed in humid sheds suffer more from rheumatism than those employed in dry sheds. My right hon. Friend will, however, be glad to consider any information which my hon. Friend may send to him on the subject.