§ MR. F. S. POWELLsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Reports of Factory Inspectors, as printed and circulated, are copies of those originally sent in by the Inspectors; if not, what are the regulations under which revision or alteration of those Reports is conducted?
§ SIR GEORGE GREY, in reply, said, the Reports of the Factory Inspectors, printed and circulated for some years past, were copies of those originally sent in by the Inspectors. The last Instructions issued on the subject were issued nearly nine years ago, when a letter was written to the Inspectors, pointing out to them that their efficiency depending on their Reports being calmly and impartially written, it would be better that they should avoid commenting on the decisions of magistrates, and also on what took place at public meetings at which their conduct was impugned. At the same time, the Inspectors were told that if they thought a defence of their conduct in any case was necessary, they might address a letter to the Secretary of State, and, if requisite, publicity would be given to it. Since those instructions were issued he did not think that he had had any reason to complain of any Report of a Factory Inspector.
§ MR. F. S. POWELLsaid, he wished to know whether the right hon. Gentleman will lay those Instructions on the table?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, he did not I think that that would be desirable, but he would look at them and see whether it could properly be done.