§ MR. BYRON REED (Bradford, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the number of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Factories is adequate to the duties which these officers are called upon to perform; and, if not, whether the Government will take the necessary steps to provide a sufficient increase in the staff; and, in the event of such increase being found necessary, will the Government appoint, as far as may be possible, working men to the Inspectorships?
§ THE SECRETARY or STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)No official representation has been made by the Factory Department at the Home Office that the number of Factory Inspectors is inadequate to the performance of their duties; and although various Trade Councils have requested that the number should be increased, I do not think the Treasury can be asked to charge the public funds with an increased expenditure in this Department until it is clearly shown by experience that the present staff, if properly distributed, is unable to satisfy the requirements of the Factory Acts in a manner practically sufficient. If an increase is found necessary the Government will fully consider the claims of working men to be appointed Inspectors.