Too little, too late? The Home Office and the Asbestos Industry Regulations, 1931

Medical History

Volumn 42, Issue 4, 1998, Pages 421-438

  Bartrip, Peter ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; ASBESTOSIS; HISTORY; HUMAN; LEGAL ASPECT; OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH; TRADE UNION; UNITED KINGDOM;

ASBESTOSIS; GREAT BRITAIN; HISTORY, 20TH CENTURY; HUMANS; LABOR UNIONS; OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH;

EID: 0032175707     PISSN: 00257273     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1017/S0025727300064334     Document Type: Article

References (151)

1. See in particular Nick Wikeley, 'The Asbestos Regulations 1931: a licence to kill', J Law Soc., 1992, 19: 365-78; N J Wikeley, Compensation for industrial disease, Aldershot, Dartmouth, 1993; Nick Wikeley, 'Turner & Newall: early organizational responses to litigation risk', J Law Soc., 1997, 24: 252-75; Morris Greenberg, 'Knowledge of the health hazard of asbestos prior to the Merewether and Price report of 1930', Soc. Hist. Med., 1994, 7: 493-516; David J Jeremy, 'Corporate responses to the emergent recognition of a health hazard in the UK asbestos industry: the case of Turner & Newall, 1920-1960', Bus. econ. Hist., 1995, 24: 254-65; Geoffrey Tweedale and Philip Hansen, 'Protecting the workers: the Medical Board and the asbestos industry, 1930s-1960s', Med. Hist., this issue.
2. See in particular Nick Wikeley, 'The Asbestos Regulations 1931: a licence to kill', J Law Soc., 1992, 19: 365-78; N J Wikeley, Compensation for industrial disease, Aldershot, Dartmouth, 1993; Nick Wikeley, 'Turner & Newall: early organizational responses to litigation risk', J Law Soc., 1997, 24: 252-75; Morris Greenberg, 'Knowledge of the health hazard of asbestos prior to the Merewether and Price report of 1930', Soc. Hist. Med., 1994, 7: 493-516; David J Jeremy, 'Corporate responses to the emergent recognition of a health hazard in the UK asbestos industry: the case of Turner & Newall, 1920-1960', Bus. econ. Hist., 1995, 24: 254-65; Geoffrey Tweedale and Philip Hansen, 'Protecting the workers: the Medical Board and the asbestos industry, 1930s-1960s', Med. Hist., this issue.
3. See in particular Nick Wikeley, 'The Asbestos Regulations 1931: a licence to kill', J Law Soc., 1992, 19: 365-78; N J Wikeley, Compensation for industrial disease, Aldershot, Dartmouth, 1993; Nick Wikeley, 'Turner & Newall: early organizational responses to litigation risk', J Law Soc., 1997, 24: 252-75; Morris Greenberg, 'Knowledge of the health hazard of asbestos prior to the Merewether and Price report of 1930', Soc. Hist. Med., 1994, 7: 493-516; David J Jeremy, 'Corporate responses to the emergent recognition of a health hazard in the UK asbestos industry: the case of Turner & Newall, 1920-1960', Bus. econ. Hist., 1995, 24: 254-65; Geoffrey Tweedale and Philip Hansen, 'Protecting the workers: the Medical Board and the asbestos industry, 1930s-1960s', Med. Hist., this issue.
4. See in particular Nick Wikeley, 'The Asbestos Regulations 1931: a licence to kill', J Law Soc., 1992, 19: 365-78; N J Wikeley, Compensation for industrial disease, Aldershot, Dartmouth, 1993; Nick Wikeley, 'Turner & Newall: early organizational responses to litigation risk', J Law Soc., 1997, 24: 252-75; Morris Greenberg, 'Knowledge of the health hazard of asbestos prior to the Merewether and Price report of 1930', Soc. Hist. Med., 1994, 7: 493-516; David J Jeremy, 'Corporate responses to the emergent recognition of a health hazard in the UK asbestos industry: the case of Turner & Newall, 1920-1960', Bus. econ. Hist., 1995, 24: 254-65; Geoffrey Tweedale and Philip Hansen, 'Protecting the workers: the Medical Board and the asbestos industry, 1930s-1960s', Med. Hist., this issue.
5. See in particular Nick Wikeley, 'The Asbestos Regulations 1931: a licence to kill', J Law Soc., 1992, 19: 365-78; N J Wikeley, Compensation for industrial disease, Aldershot, Dartmouth, 1993; Nick Wikeley, 'Turner & Newall: early organizational responses to litigation risk', J Law Soc., 1997, 24: 252-75; Morris Greenberg, 'Knowledge of the health hazard of asbestos prior to the Merewether and Price report of 1930', Soc. Hist. Med., 1994, 7: 493-516; David J Jeremy, 'Corporate responses to the emergent recognition of a health hazard in the UK asbestos industry: the case of Turner & Newall, 1920-1960', Bus. econ. Hist., 1995, 24: 254-65; Geoffrey Tweedale and Philip Hansen, 'Protecting the workers: the Medical Board and the asbestos industry, 1930s-1960s', Med. Hist., this issue.
6. See in particular Nick Wikeley, 'The Asbestos Regulations 1931: a licence to kill', J Law Soc., 1992, 19: 365-78; N J Wikeley, Compensation for industrial disease, Aldershot, Dartmouth, 1993; Nick Wikeley, 'Turner & Newall: early organizational responses to litigation risk', J Law Soc., 1997, 24: 252-75; Morris Greenberg, 'Knowledge of the health hazard of asbestos prior to the Merewether and Price report of 1930', Soc. Hist. Med., 1994, 7: 493-516; David J Jeremy, 'Corporate responses to the emergent recognition of a health hazard in the UK asbestos industry: the case of Turner & Newall, 1920-1960', Bus. econ. Hist., 1995, 24: 254-65; Geoffrey Tweedale and Philip Hansen, 'Protecting the workers: the Medical Board and the asbestos industry, 1930s-1960s', Med. Hist., this issue.
7. Greenberg, op. cit., note 1 above, pp. 493-516.
8. Guardian, 6 Aug. 1982.
9. R Murray, 'Asbestos: a chronology of its origins and health effects', Br. J. ind. Med., 1990, 47: 361-5.
10. PP 1928 IX. Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1927, p. 490; see introductory comments to the 1928 report, PP 1929-30 XIII, p. 540.
11. PP 1928 IX. Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1927, p. 490; see introductory comments to the 1928 report, PP 1929-30 XIII, p. 540.
12. ERA Merewether and C W Price, Report on effects of asbestos dust on the lungs and dust suppression in the asbestos industry, London, HMSO, 1930, p. 17.
13. PP 1929-30 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1928, p. 560.
14. The 1921 census indicated that the industry employed 3762 persons. By 1931 the number had risen to 4286. See Census of England and Wales, 1921. Industry tables, London, HMSO, 1924, table 1, p. 7; Census of England and Wales, 1931. Industry tables, London, HMSO, 1934, table 1, p. 4. In the period 1920-1930 inclusive, the annual average quantity of raw and fibre asbestos imported into the UK for domestic consumption was 19,281 tons. See Annual statement of the trade of the United Kingdom with foreign countries and British possessions, London, HMSO, 1925-1932.
15. The 1921 census indicated that the industry employed 3762 persons. By 1931 the number had risen to 4286. See Census of England and Wales, 1921. Industry tables, London, HMSO, 1924, table 1, p. 7; Census of England and Wales, 1931. Industry tables, London, HMSO, 1934, table 1, p. 4. In the period 1920-1930 inclusive, the annual average quantity of raw and fibre asbestos imported into the UK for domestic consumption was 19,281 tons. See Annual statement of the trade of the United Kingdom with foreign countries and British possessions, London, HMSO, 1925-1932.
16. The 1921 census indicated that the industry employed 3762 persons. By 1931 the number had risen to 4286. See Census of England and Wales, 1921. Industry tables, London, HMSO, 1924, table 1, p. 7; Census of England and Wales, 1931. Industry tables, London, HMSO, 1934, table 1, p. 4. In the period 1920-1930 inclusive, the annual average quantity of raw and fibre asbestos imported into the UK for domestic consumption was 19,281 tons. See Annual statement of the trade of the United Kingdom with foreign countries and British possessions, London, HMSO, 1925-1932.
17. Merewether and Price, op. cit., note 6 above p. 17.
18. PP 1929-30 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1928, p. 560.
19. Barry I Castleman, Asbestos: medical and legal aspects, 4th ed., Englewood Cliffs, Aspen Law & Business, 1996, p. 2.
20. PP 1900 XI, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1898, p. 179.
21. Ibid.
22. Ibid., p. 180.
23. PP 1900 XI, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1899, p. 544; PP 1902 XXII. Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1901, p. 244; PP 1907 X, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1906, pp. 237-8; PP 1912-13 XXV, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1911, pp. 728-9.
24. PP 1900 XI, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1899, p. 544; PP 1902 XXII. Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1901, p. 244; PP 1907 X, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1906, pp. 237-8; PP 1912-13 XXV, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1911, pp. 728-9.
25. PP 1900 XI, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1899, p. 544; PP 1902 XXII. Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1901, p. 244; PP 1907 X, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1906, pp. 237-8; PP 1912-13 XXV, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1911, pp. 728-9.
26. PP 1900 XI, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1899, p. 544; PP 1902 XXII. Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1901, p. 244; PP 1907 X, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1906, pp. 237-8; PP 1912-13 XXV, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1911, pp. 728-9.
27. PP 1911 XII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1910, p. 620.
28. ERA Merewether, 'A memorandum on asbestosis', Tubercle, 1933-4, 15: 69-81, 109-18, 152-9, p. 72.
29. Irving J Selikoff and Morris Greenberg, 'A landmark case in asbestosis', J. Am. med. Ass., 1991, 265: 898-901, p. 898.
30. Thomas Arlidge, The hygiene, diseases and mortality of occupations, London, Percival, 1892.
31. Thomas Oliver (ed.). Dangerous trades. The historical, social and legal aspect of industrial occupations as affecting health, by a number of experts, London, John Murray, 1902, p. 25.
32. Thomas Oliver, Diseases of occupation. From the legislative, social and medical points of view, London, Methuen, 1908; idem. Occupations from the social, hygienic and medical points of view, Cambridge University Press, 1916.
33. Thomas Oliver, Diseases of occupation. From the legislative, social and medical points of view, London, Methuen, 1908; idem. Occupations from the social, hygienic and medical points of view, Cambridge University Press, 1916.
34. Edgar L Collis, Industrial pneumoconioses, with special reference to dust phthisis (Milroy Lectures), London, HMSO, 1919; idem, and Major Greenwood, The health of the industrial worker, London, Churchill, 1921.
35. Edgar L Collis, Industrial pneumoconioses, with special reference to dust phthisis (Milroy Lectures), London, HMSO, 1919; idem, and Major Greenwood, The health of the industrial worker, London, Churchill, 1921.
36. W Burton Wood, 'Radiographic appearances in skiagrams of the chests of workers in asbestos', Tubercle, 1929, 10: 353-63, p. 353; S Roodhouse Gloyne, 'The presence of the asbestos fibre in the lesions of asbestos workers', Tubercle 10: 404-7, p. 404.
37. W Burton Wood, 'Radiographic appearances in skiagrams of the chests of workers in asbestos', Tubercle, 1929, 10: 353-63, p. 353; S Roodhouse Gloyne, 'The presence of the asbestos fibre in the lesions of asbestos workers', Tubercle 10: 404-7, p. 404.
38. 'Fibrosis of the lungs due to the inhalation of asbestos dust', Br. med. J., 1924, ii: 147. The Kershaw case has been described by several authors including Selikoff and Greenberg, op. cit., note 18 above, p. 898; Jeremy, op. cit., note 1 above, 254-65. Turner Brothers Asbestos was one of four companies which, in 1920, came together to form Turner & Newall. The other three were Newalls Insulation, J W Roberts, and the Washington Chemical Company. See Turner & Newall Ltd. The first fifty years, 1920-1970, Manchester, T & N, 1970, p. 3.
39. 'Fibrosis of the lungs due to the inhalation of asbestos dust', Br. med. J., 1924, ii: 147. The Kershaw case has been described by several authors including Selikoff and Greenberg, op. cit., note 18 above, p. 898; Jeremy, op. cit., note 1 above, 254-65. Turner Brothers Asbestos was one of four companies which, in 1920, came together to form Turner & Newall. The other three were Newalls Insulation, J W Roberts, and the Washington Chemical Company. See Turner & Newall Ltd. The first fifty years, 1920-1970, Manchester, T & N, 1970, p. 3.
40. 'Fibrosis of the lungs due to the inhalation of asbestos dust', Br. med. J., 1924, ii: 147. The Kershaw case has been described by several authors including Selikoff and Greenberg, op. cit., note 18 above, p. 898; Jeremy, op. cit., note 1 above, 254-65. Turner Brothers Asbestos was one of four companies which, in 1920, came together to form Turner & Newall. The other three were Newalls Insulation, J W Roberts, and the Washington Chemical Company. See Turner & Newall Ltd. The first fifty years, 1920-1970, Manchester, T & N, 1970, p. 3.
41. 'Fibrosis of the lungs due to the inhalation of asbestos dust', Br. med. J., 1924, ii: 147. The Kershaw case has been described by several authors including Selikoff and Greenberg, op. cit., note 18 above, p. 898; Jeremy, op. cit., note 1 above, 254-65. Turner Brothers Asbestos was one of four companies which, in 1920, came together to form Turner & Newall. The other three were Newalls Insulation, J W Roberts, and the Washington Chemical Company. See Turner & Newall Ltd. The first fifty years, 1920-1970, Manchester, T & N, 1970, p. 3.
42. T & N Archive, Trafford Park, Manchester, drawer 0052, Joss's diagnosis of Nellie Kershaw 25 July 1922.
43. Ibid., inquest on Nellie Kershaw, undated evidence of W E Cooke.
44. W E Cooke, 'Pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1024-5; W E Cooke and C F Hill, 'Pneumokoniosis due to asbestos dust', J. Microscopical Soc., 1927, 47, ser. iii: 232-8; S McDonald, 'Histology of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1025-6; Sir Thomas Oliver, 'Clinical aspects of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1026-7; idem, 'Pulmonary asbestosis in its clinical aspects', J. ind. Hyg., 1927, 9: 483-5; M D Grieve, 'Asbestosis. An investigation into the chronic pulmonary disease of asbestos workers in this country', MD thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1927.
45. W E Cooke, 'Pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1024-5; W E Cooke and C F Hill, 'Pneumokoniosis due to asbestos dust', J. Microscopical Soc., 1927, 47, ser. iii: 232-8; S McDonald, 'Histology of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1025-6; Sir Thomas Oliver, 'Clinical aspects of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1026-7; idem, 'Pulmonary asbestosis in its clinical aspects', J. ind. Hyg., 1927, 9: 483-5; M D Grieve, 'Asbestosis. An investigation into the chronic pulmonary disease of asbestos workers in this country', MD thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1927.
46. W E Cooke, 'Pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1024-5; W E Cooke and C F Hill, 'Pneumokoniosis due to asbestos dust', J. Microscopical Soc., 1927, 47, ser. iii: 232-8; S McDonald, 'Histology of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1025-6; Sir Thomas Oliver, 'Clinical aspects of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1026-7; idem, 'Pulmonary asbestosis in its clinical aspects', J. ind. Hyg., 1927, 9: 483-5; M D Grieve, 'Asbestosis. An investigation into the chronic pulmonary disease of asbestos workers in this country', MD thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1927.
47. W E Cooke, 'Pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1024-5; W E Cooke and C F Hill, 'Pneumokoniosis due to asbestos dust', J. Microscopical Soc., 1927, 47, ser. iii: 232-8; S McDonald, 'Histology of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1025-6; Sir Thomas Oliver, 'Clinical aspects of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1026-7; idem, 'Pulmonary asbestosis in its clinical aspects', J. ind. Hyg., 1927, 9: 483-5; M D Grieve, 'Asbestosis. An investigation into the chronic pulmonary disease of asbestos workers in this country', MD thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1927.
48. W E Cooke, 'Pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1024-5; W E Cooke and C F Hill, 'Pneumokoniosis due to asbestos dust', J. Microscopical Soc., 1927, 47, ser. iii: 232-8; S McDonald, 'Histology of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1025-6; Sir Thomas Oliver, 'Clinical aspects of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1026-7; idem, 'Pulmonary asbestosis in its clinical aspects', J. ind. Hyg., 1927, 9: 483-5; M D Grieve, 'Asbestosis. An investigation into the chronic pulmonary disease of asbestos workers in this country', MD thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1927.
49. W E Cooke, 'Pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1024-5; W E Cooke and C F Hill, 'Pneumokoniosis due to asbestos dust', J. Microscopical Soc., 1927, 47, ser. iii: 232-8; S McDonald, 'Histology of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1025-6; Sir Thomas Oliver, 'Clinical aspects of pulmonary asbestosis', Br. med. J., 1927, ii: 1026-7; idem, 'Pulmonary asbestosis in its clinical aspects', J. ind. Hyg., 1927, 9: 483-5; M D Grieve, 'Asbestosis. An investigation into the chronic pulmonary disease of asbestos workers in this country', MD thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1927.
50. PP 1929-30 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1928, p. 559. This case appears to be that which was written-up by H E Seiler and published in the Br. med. J. (1928, ii; 982); 'A case of pneumoconiosis. result of the inhalation of asbestos dust'.
51. PP 1929-30 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1928, p. 559. This case appears to be that which was written-up by H E Seiler and published in the Br. med. J. (1928, ii; 982); 'A case of pneumoconiosis. result of the inhalation of asbestos dust'.
52. PP 1929-30 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, 1928, p. 559. This case appears to be that which was written-up by H E Seiler and published in the Br. med. J. (1928, ii; 982); 'A case of pneumoconiosis. result of the inhalation of asbestos dust'.
53. Public Record Office (hereafter PRO) LAB 14/70, Bridge to Gerald Bellhouse (Chief Inspector of Factories), 17 Oct. 1929. The first question in the House of Commons about the danger of asbestos was posed in April 1928, see 5 Hansard, 216: 19 April 1928, col. 335.
54. PRO LAB 14/70, Bellhouse to Bridge, 2 May 1928 and Bellhouse to Sir John Anderson (Permanent Under-Secretary at the Home Office), 5 July 1928.
55. Greenberg, op. cit., note 1 above, p. 495. Greenberg's statement is bizarre for Collis (1870-1957), distinguished though he was, had left the Factory Inspectorate in 1919! In 1928 he was professor of preventive medicine in the University of Wales medical school. As for Middleton, his absence from leading biographical dictionaries suggests that his international standing was modest.
56. Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2, p. 571.
57. PRO LAB 14/70, Bridge to Bellhouse, 17 Oct 1929; Bellhouse to Merewether, 17 March 1930; Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930; Br. med. J., 1930, i: 789; Warwick Modem Records Centre (hereafter WMRC), TUC Archive, Silicates-Asbestosis, 1930-1945, MSS.292 144.3/6, Legge to Smyth, 3 April 1930. On Merewether's career and reputation see Gordon Wolstenholme (ed.), Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Oxford and Washington, IRL Press, 1982, pp. 335-6; Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2; Lancet, 1970, i: 477-8.
58. PRO LAB 14/70, Bridge to Bellhouse, 17 Oct 1929; Bellhouse to Merewether, 17 March 1930; Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930; Br. med. J., 1930, i: 789; Warwick Modem Records Centre (hereafter WMRC), TUC Archive, Silicates-Asbestosis, 1930-1945, MSS.292 144.3/6, Legge to Smyth, 3 April 1930. On Merewether's career and reputation see Gordon Wolstenholme (ed.), Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Oxford and Washington, IRL Press, 1982, pp. 335-6; Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2; Lancet, 1970, i: 477-8.
59. PRO LAB 14/70, Bridge to Bellhouse, 17 Oct 1929; Bellhouse to Merewether, 17 March 1930; Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930; Br. med. J., 1930, i: 789; Warwick Modem Records Centre (hereafter WMRC), TUC Archive, Silicates-Asbestosis, 1930-1945, MSS.292 144.3/6, Legge to Smyth, 3 April 1930. On Merewether's career and reputation see Gordon Wolstenholme (ed.), Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Oxford and Washington, IRL Press, 1982, pp. 335-6; Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2; Lancet, 1970, i: 477-8.
60. PRO LAB 14/70, Bridge to Bellhouse, 17 Oct 1929; Bellhouse to Merewether, 17 March 1930; Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930; Br. med. J., 1930, i: 789; Warwick Modem Records Centre (hereafter WMRC), TUC Archive, Silicates-Asbestosis, 1930-1945, MSS.292 144.3/6, Legge to Smyth, 3 April 1930. On Merewether's career and reputation see Gordon Wolstenholme (ed.), Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Oxford and Washington, IRL Press, 1982, pp. 335-6; Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2; Lancet, 1970, i: 477-8.
61. PRO LAB 14/70, Bridge to Bellhouse, 17 Oct 1929; Bellhouse to Merewether, 17 March 1930; Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930; Br. med. J., 1930, i: 789; Warwick Modem Records Centre (hereafter WMRC), TUC Archive, Silicates-Asbestosis, 1930-1945, MSS.292 144.3/6, Legge to Smyth, 3 April 1930. On Merewether's career and reputation see Gordon Wolstenholme (ed.), Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Oxford and Washington, IRL Press, 1982, pp. 335-6; Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2; Lancet, 1970, i: 477-8.
62. PRO LAB 14/70, Bridge to Bellhouse, 17 Oct 1929; Bellhouse to Merewether, 17 March 1930; Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930; Br. med. J., 1930, i: 789; Warwick Modem Records Centre (hereafter WMRC), TUC Archive, Silicates-Asbestosis, 1930-1945, MSS.292 144.3/6, Legge to Smyth, 3 April 1930. On Merewether's career and reputation see Gordon Wolstenholme (ed.), Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Oxford and Washington, IRL Press, 1982, pp. 335-6; Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2; Lancet, 1970, i: 477-8.
63. PRO LAB 14/70, Bridge to Bellhouse, 17 Oct 1929; Bellhouse to Merewether, 17 March 1930; Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930; Br. med. J., 1930, i: 789; Warwick Modem Records Centre (hereafter WMRC), TUC Archive, Silicates-Asbestosis, 1930-1945, MSS.292 144.3/6, Legge to Smyth, 3 April 1930. On Merewether's career and reputation see Gordon Wolstenholme (ed.), Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Oxford and Washington, IRL Press, 1982, pp. 335-6; Br. med. J., 1970, i: 571-2; Lancet, 1970, i: 477-8.
64. Greenberg, op. cit., note 1 above, p. 496.
65. Sir Thomas Legge, Industrial maladies, London, Oxford University Press, 1934, p. 191.
66. See Sir Thomas Legge's entry in the New Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, forthcoming.
67. Merewether and Price, op. cit., note 6 above p. 7.
68. Ibid., pp. 9, 13 and 15.
69. Ibid., p. 15.
70. Ibid., pp. 11-12.
71. Ibid., p. 5.
72. Ibid., pp. 17-18.
73. Ibid., pp. 31-3. Merewether's initial inquiries, which were mainly medical in scope, were conducted by him alone. The submission of his draft report, in October 1929, raised the question of preventive measures and Price was instructed to investigate. See PRO LAB 14/70, Bellhouse to Anderson, 12 Nov. 1929.
74. Ibid., pp. 31-3. Merewether's initial inquiries, which were mainly medical in scope, were conducted by him alone. The submission of his draft report, in October 1929, raised the question of preventive measures and Price was instructed to investigate. See PRO LAB 14/70, Bellhouse to Anderson, 12 Nov. 1929.
75. PRO LAB 14/70, Bellhouse to Clynes, 17 March 1930.
76. Ibid., Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931.
77. Ibid., Wilson to Asbestos Firms, 19 June 1930. While Turner "willingly agreed to provide drawings and full information relating to the methods of ventilation installed", he was not prepared to allow competitor firms access to his premises. Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931.
78. 54 & 55 Vict. c. 75.
79. See P W J Bartrip and R M Hartwell, 'Profit and virtue. Economic theory and the regulation of occupational health in nineteenth and twentieth century Britain', in K O Hawkins (ed.), The human face of law. Essays in honour of Donald Harris, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1997, pp. 45-63 on pp. 54-5 ; H J Tennant, 'The dangerous trades. A case for legislation' Fortnightly Review, 1898, 71: 316-25, pp. 317-18.
80. See P W J Bartrip and R M Hartwell, 'Profit and virtue. Economic theory and the regulation of occupational health in nineteenth and twentieth century Britain', in K O Hawkins (ed.), The human face of law. Essays in honour of Donald Harris, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1997, pp. 45-63 on pp. 54-5 ; H J Tennant, 'The dangerous trades. A case for legislation' Fortnightly Review, 1898, 71: 316-25, pp. 317-18.
81. Factories and Workshops Act, 1901 (1 Edw.VII c. 22 ss. 79-86). By 1932 forty-three regulatory codes dealing with health hazards in industry had been compiled under the terms of the 1901 Act. See PP 1932-3 XII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, p. 98.
82. Factories and Workshops Act, 1901 (1 Edw.VII c. 22 ss. 79-86). By 1932 forty-three regulatory codes dealing with health hazards in industry had been compiled under the terms of the 1901 Act. See PP 1932-3 XII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, p. 98.
83. PRO LAB 14/70, Wilson to asbestos firms 19 June 1930.
84. PRO LAB 14/70, Dust suppression in textile factories. Notes of a conference with asbestos textile manufacturers, 8 July, 1930.
85. Ibid.
86. Ibid., Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931. See also Wilson's observation, in the Annual report of Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops (PP 1932-3 XII p. 98) that "in many large works . . . a high standard of ventilation had been attained" before the 1931 Regulations came into effect. Wilson's assessments were endorsed by others. For example, Ian Grieve, a medical practitioner, observed that "the employers are so wide awake to the risks as to establish and enforce precautionary measures on a scale far beyond the requirements of the Factory and Work Shops Act". Grieve, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 1. In the same year, 1927, Cooke and Hill pointed out that in "modern factories all machines are fitted with covers and the dust removed by extraction". Cooke and Hill, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 233. See also Merewether, op. cit., note 17 above, p. 153.
87. Ibid., Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931. See also Wilson's observation, in the Annual report of Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops (PP 1932-3 XII p. 98) that "in many large works . . . a high standard of ventilation had been attained" before the 1931 Regulations came into effect. Wilson's assessments were endorsed by others. For example, Ian Grieve, a medical practitioner, observed that "the employers are so wide awake to the risks as to establish and enforce precautionary measures on a scale far beyond the requirements of the Factory and Work Shops Act". Grieve, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 1. In the same year, 1927, Cooke and Hill pointed out that in "modern factories all machines are fitted with covers and the dust removed by extraction". Cooke and Hill, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 233. See also Merewether, op. cit., note 17 above, p. 153.
88. Ibid., Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931. See also Wilson's observation, in the Annual report of Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops (PP 1932-3 XII p. 98) that "in many large works . . . a high standard of ventilation had been attained" before the 1931 Regulations came into effect. Wilson's assessments were endorsed by others. For example, Ian Grieve, a medical practitioner, observed that "the employers are so wide awake to the risks as to establish and enforce precautionary measures on a scale far beyond the requirements of the Factory and Work Shops Act". Grieve, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 1. In the same year, 1927, Cooke and Hill pointed out that in "modern factories all machines are fitted with covers and the dust removed by extraction". Cooke and Hill, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 233. See also Merewether, op. cit., note 17 above, p. 153.
89. Ibid., Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931. See also Wilson's observation, in the Annual report of Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops (PP 1932-3 XII p. 98) that "in many large works . . . a high standard of ventilation had been attained" before the 1931 Regulations came into effect. Wilson's assessments were endorsed by others. For example, Ian Grieve, a medical practitioner, observed that "the employers are so wide awake to the risks as to establish and enforce precautionary measures on a scale far beyond the requirements of the Factory and Work Shops Act". Grieve, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 1. In the same year, 1927, Cooke and Hill pointed out that in "modern factories all machines are fitted with covers and the dust removed by extraction". Cooke and Hill, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 233. See also Merewether, op. cit., note 17 above, p. 153.
90. Ibid., Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931. See also Wilson's observation, in the Annual report of Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops (PP 1932-3 XII p. 98) that "in many large works . . . a high standard of ventilation had been attained" before the 1931 Regulations came into effect. Wilson's assessments were endorsed by others. For example, Ian Grieve, a medical practitioner, observed that "the employers are so wide awake to the risks as to establish and enforce precautionary measures on a scale far beyond the requirements of the Factory and Work Shops Act". Grieve, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 1. In the same year, 1927, Cooke and Hill pointed out that in "modern factories all machines are fitted with covers and the dust removed by extraction". Cooke and Hill, op. cit., note 27 above, p. 233. See also Merewether, op. cit., note 17 above, p. 153.
91. The prime example of such conflict is the protracted struggle to control lead poisoning in the pottery and earthenware trade in the 1890s and early 1900s. PRO HO (Home Office) 45/9852/B12393E and B12393.
92. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op. cit., note 1 above, p. 367.
93. Report on conferences between employers and inspectors concerning methods for suppressing dust in asbestos factories, London, HMSO, 1931, pp. 3-4 and 5; T & N Archive, op. cit., note 25 above, drawer 9044, notes of conference with asbestos textile manufacturers; see also PP 1930-1 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, p. 159.
94. Report on conferences between employers and inspectors concerning methods for suppressing dust in asbestos factories, London, HMSO, 1931, pp. 3-4 and 5; T & N Archive, op. cit., note 25 above, drawer 9044, notes of conference with asbestos textile manufacturers; see also PP 1930-1 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, p. 159.
95. Report on conferences between employers and inspectors concerning methods for suppressing dust in asbestos factories, London, HMSO, 1931, pp. 3-4 and 5; T & N Archive, op. cit., note 25 above, drawer 9044, notes of conference with asbestos textile manufacturers; see also PP 1930-1 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops, p. 159.
96. T & N Archive, op. cit., note 25 above, drawer 9044. Papers of the committee for the consideration of dust suppression in asbestos textile factories.
97. Ibid., drawer 0089. Report on methods for suppressing dust in asbestos textile factories; Report on conferences, op. cit., note 56 above, p. 6.
98. Ibid., drawer 0089. Report on methods for suppressing dust in asbestos textile factories; Report on conferences, op. cit., note 56 above, p. 6.
99. Ibid.
100. Ibid., p. 7.
101. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op. cit., note 1 above, pp. 367-8.
102. Report on conferences, op. cit., note 56 above, p. 8.
103. PRO LAB 14/70, Wilson to J Gow, P Fenton and W Kenyon, 16 Feb. 1931;
104. see also WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above, report of meeting with representatives of the unions concerned and deputation to the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories . . . 8 July, 1931;
105. PP 1930-1 XIII, Annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops p. 159.
106. PRO LAB 14/70, Notes on the second conference with asbestos manufacturers.
107. Ibid., Bridge to Chief Inspector of Factories, 24 March 1931.
108. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op. cit., note 1 above, p. 369.
109. PRO LAB 14/70, Wilson to various asbestos manufacturers , 8 April 1931.
110. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op. cit., note 1 above, pp. 369, 370, 375.
111. Repon of the sixty-second annual TUC congress, Nottingham, 1930, London, Co-operative Printing Society, 1930, p. 136.
112. See S A Henry's preface to Legge, op. cit., note 35 above, p. ix.
113. PRO LAB 14/70, Wilson to Anderson, 16 Jan. 1931.
114. Ibid., Wilson to Anderson, 10 April 1931.
115. WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above, Bannatyne to the secretary of the TUC, 24 April, 1931.
116. Ibid., Smyth to Bannatyne, 27 April 1931.
117. Ibid., note of telephone conversation, 30 April 1930.
118. Ibid., copy of unsigned letter from the TUC's medical adviser to L Ward.
119. Ibid., Legge to Smyth and A P Harries, 4 May 1931.
120. Ibid., Smyth to Under-Secretary of State, 27 May 1931.
121. Ibid., Wilson to Smyth, 22 June 1931.
122. Ibid., Wilson to Smyth, 1 July 1931. See also the note of Wilson's telephone call, 30 June 1931.
123. Ibid., comments of Legge and Harries, 4 July 1931; PRO LAB 14/70, Smyth to Wilson, 6 July 1931.
124. WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above, report of meeting with representatives of the unions concerned and deputation to the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories . . . 8 July, 1931; PRO LAB 14/70, Smyth to Wilson, 6 July 1931 and Wilson to Smyth, 14 July 1931.
125. WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above, report of meeting with representatives of the unions concerned and deputation to the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories . . . 8 July, 1931.
126. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op. cit., note 1 above, p. 370.
127. PRO LAB 14/70. Smyth to Wilson, 6 July 1931. and Wilson to Smyth, 14 July 1931.
128. Ibid., unsigned and incomplete letter. Wilson to Anderson, 16 July 1931.
129. WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above. Sherwood to Smyth, 20 July 1931; Smyth to Sherwood, 21 July 1931; Sherwood to Smyth, 16 Sept. 1931.
130. Ibid., Legge's memorandum, 21 July 1931.
131. PRO LAB 14/70, Smyth to Wilson, 1 Sept. 1931.
132. WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above, Sherwood to Smyth, 16 Sept. 1931; Smyth to Malcolm Delevingne, 23 Nov. 1931; extract from workmen's compensation and factories committee minutes, 23 Nov. 1931; G R Buckland (Home Office clerk) to Smyth, 8 Jan. 1932.
133. Statutory instruments, 1931, no. 1140. Some sections were deferred either for six or twelve months.
134. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op. cit., note 1 above, p. 369.
135. Merewether, op. cit., note 17 above, p. 153.
136. See e.g., WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above, Legge's note, 25 Jan. 1932.
137. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op, cit., note 1 above, p. 368; see Report of the sixty-fourth annual TUC congress, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1932, London, Co-operative Printing Society, 1932, p. 142.
138. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op, cit., note 1 above, p. 368; see Report of the sixty-fourth annual TUC congress, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1932, London, Co-operative Printing Society, 1932, p. 142.
139. Merewether, op. cit., note 17 above, p. 159.
140. Jeremy, op. cit., note 1 above, p. 258.
141. Grieve, op. cit., note 27 above, pp. 1-2.
142. WMRC, op. cit., note 33 above, Legge to Turner Brothers Asbestos Co., 1 Sept. 1931.
143. Ibid., Joseph Nuttall to TUC social insurance department, 22 July 1931.
144. Wikeley, 'Asbestos Regulations', op. cit., note 1 above, p. 369.
145. Wikeley, Compensation, op. cit., note 1 above, p. 110.
146. Fatality figures are derived from the annual reports of HM Chief Inspector of Factories. Import data are taken from the Annual statement of the trade of the United Kingdom with foreign countries and British possessions.
147. Richard Doll, 'Mortality from lung cancer in asbestos workers', Brit. J. ind. Med., 1955, 12: 81-6, p. 86.
148. Georgiana M Bonser, J S Faulds and M J Stewart, 'Occupational cancer of the urinary bladder in dyestuffs operatives and of the lung in asbestos textile workers and iron-ore miners'. Am. J. clin. Path., 1955, 25: 126-34, p. 132.
149. T & N Archive, op. cit., note 25 above, drawer 63, Merewether to Sir Samuel Turner, 22 Sept. 1942.
150. See, e.g., Alan Fowler and T J Wyke (eds), The barefoot aristocrats: a history of the Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners, Littleborough, George Kelsall, 1987, ch. 10; A J Mclvor, 'Manual work, technology, and industrial health, 1918-39', Med. Hist., 1987, 31: 160-89.
151. See, e.g., Alan Fowler and T J Wyke (eds), The barefoot aristocrats: a history of the Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners, Littleborough, George Kelsall, 1987, ch. 10; A J Mclvor, 'Manual work, technology, and industrial health, 1918-39', Med. Hist., 1987, 31: 160-89.