§ MR. BROADHURSTasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to a statement in The Lambeth Post, of the Report of the medical officer of that parish, to the effect that some of the bakehouses which he had inspected were found to be in a very bad sanitary condition—
Several of them being below the ground level, and in some eases the sewage came through into the premises;and, whether it is his intention to introduce a Bill during the present Session to prevent the further erection of bake houses below the level of the ground?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLWe have to-day received the Report of the medical officer of Lambeth. It refers to a large number of cases in which sanitary defects in bakehouses were discovered; but it does not state that "sewage came through into the premises." Neither is it stated in that Report, although we do not doubt that such is the case, that several of the bakehouses are underground. We learn that notices have been served on the owners in every instance to remedy the sanitary defects, and that inspection will frequently be made. With reference to the question as to legislation to prevent the construction of underground bakehouses, a clause on this subject was introduced into the Factory and Workshops Bill of last Session, but was withdrawn in deference to opposition. The Act as passed, however, contains a provision that any occupier of a place used as a bakehouse, which is in such a state as to be unfit for such use, is liable to penalties, and this applies to bakehouses under, as well as these above ground. If experience should show that further legislation 348 is required, we should be prepared to propose it.
§ MR. BROADHURSTwished to call attention to the fact that the best evidence that legislation was required was contained in a clause being introduced in the Bill of last year.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is entitled to ask a Question; but he is now travelling beyond the limits of a Question.
§ MR. BROADHURSTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the opposition to the clause in the Workshops Bill only consisted (so far as I know) of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Westminster (Mr. W. H. Smith)?