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45
RAG FLOCK.
Under Section 136 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, provision
is made for regulating the condition of rag flock fillings used in the
manufacture of bedding, cushions and upholstered goods.
Regulations have been issued by the Minister of Health. A standard
of purity has been set up which is ascertained by estimating the free
soluble chlorine present in any sample. An excess of more than 30 parts
of free chlorine in 100,000 parts is an offence under the Act.
In order to determine to what extent rag flock was used in the
Borough, enquiries were made at all premises where upholstered goods
and bedding were sold.
Fifty visits were made, and it was found that to a large extent the
goods sold are manufactured outside the Borough. Eleven firms were
found to be actively engaged in work involving the use of rag flock,
two of which supply rag flock to the trade. Rag flock is not manufactured
in the Borough, supplies coming in from large wholesale firms.
Twenty-two samples of fillings were submitted for analysis, two of
which were found to contain an excess of free chlorine. As both samples
were procured from the same firm, proceedings were taken in regard to
the worst sample, particulars of which are appended hereto.
Nine other samples, though containing an excess of free chlorine,
were proved to be fillings which were outside the jurisdiction of the Act,
although the material is used as a filling in the same manner as "rag
flock'' as defined by the Act.
A Departmental Committee has been set up by the Ministry of
Health, the terms of reference being:—
"To consider whether the Rag Flock Acts and the Regulations
made thereunder are adequate to secure proper cleanliness in rag
flock used in the manufacture of upholstery, bedding and other
household furniture in Great Britain, or whether it is desirable
that the provisions of those Acts and Regulations should be amended,
and, if so, in what respects, and whether all or any provisions
applicable to rag flock should be applied to materials other than rag
flock which may be used in the said articles."