Page:How contagion and infection are spread, through the sweating system in the tailoring trade.djvu/34

28 me at the present moment to state to this deputation or any deputation what are the provisions of the Bill which I propose shortly to bring before Parliament; though I am afraid that, owing to the state of public business, I shall not be able to introduce it before Easter. I am very glad to have heard all that you have had to say. I suppose I am to understand that your object in coming here to-day is simply this, namely, to impress upon me the fact that disease is propagated by persons working at this particular trade of making up clothes in houses in which there is contagious disease.

Mr., M.P., replied: Yes, that is all, sir; it is not a trades question.

Mr. : I was merely asking for information. Now, how would you deal with such a case as this: suppose a working tailor, whose house was full of disease—would you let him work as usual in the workshop?

Mr. : Oh, no.

Mr., of Edinburgh: If disease were to break out in his house, and it were known, he would be requested by both men and masters to leave the shop until a clean bill of health was received and his place disinfected.

Mr. : That is what I wanted to know. Then the object of your deputation to-day is this—that a workman, wherever he may be employed (whether in a workshop or in his own house), if he should be living with a wife or child suffering from a contagious disease, he should be prevented from spreading that disease.

Mr. (Glasgow): The same thing takes place in Glasgow.

Mr. : I have to thank you, sir, on behalf of the deputation, for your courtesy in receiving it, and listening to its representations. This is a subject I hope you will consider at some future time.

The deputation then withdrew.

Though the interview was of short duration, it was thought to be most satisfactory, and that good results must follow. Resolved:—That a vote of thanks is due and is hereby accorded to the deputation for their creditable efforts on the subject on which they were appointed.

Resolved:—That a vote of thanks is due and hereby tendered to the Trades Union Congress Parliamentary Committee for their disinterested and successful efforts in bringing about the interview; and that we request their valuable assistance in the future in assisting us to bring the subject to a successful issue.

Resolved:—That the thanks of the Conference be tendered to Alexander Macdonald, Esq., M.P. for Stafford; and to Thomas Blake, Esq., M.P. for Leominster, for their kindly assistance in accompanying the deputation to the Home Office, and sympathy with us in our efforts for the benefit of our trade.