§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, having regard to the revelations which have been recently brought to light concerning the evils of the sweating system, and the pestilential places in which men, women, and children labour, the Government will, during the Recess, seriously consider the necessity for making a considerable increase to the present staff of Factory and Workshop Inspectors; and, whether, in order to overcome the objection which has been urged, that such increase would involve a serious expenditure out of the public funds, the Government will authorise organized bodies of workmen to appoint and pay Inspectors, providing the Government retain the power to accept, control, and dismiss men selected by the workmen's organizations?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The Government will consider the question during the Recess; but no definite action can be finally decided upon until the Committee has finally reported. The Government are unable to entertain the proposal stated in the second part of the Question.