Dr. Morganasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, having regard to the increasing incidence of dermatitis in the mining industry, any trial or tests have been made of skin barrier applications; and whether any exchange of opinion on this medical preventive means has taken place between the medical factory inspectorate of the Ministry of Labour and his Department and with what result?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe subject of dermatitis among miners and the possibility of using barrier substances have been discussed by my chief medical officer of mines with the factory inspectorate and with the advisory panel on dermatitis, set up by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service. Generally speaking, as my hon. Friend will be aware, barrier substances are useful only in the case of certain processes and this factor governs their use to a great extent among miners. I regard this question, however, as one of great interest, and certain collieries have already been advised of the existence of these substances with a view to their experimental use. The832W results will be closely watched by the mines medical officers.