§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If, in order to prevent a continuance of the sweating system, and to insure some modification in the hours and conditions of the poorer class of labour, the Government will consent to enlarge the scope of the Factory Acts by such compulsory registration of all workshops not at present included in those Acts, and by other stringent Regulations and Rules as will give adequate powers to Inspectors appointed for such purposes?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Pending the completion of the inquiry before the Select Committee which is now sitting, it would be premature for the Government to determine whether, by any amendment of the Factory Laws, the evils of the sweating system could be abated. When the Report of the Committee is received the Government will consider what steps can be taken.