§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)Can the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary say when the appointment of the additional Inspector for the textile trades, mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bury (Sir Henry James) in a speech a few days ago, is likely to be made?
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.I have decided that, in order that the various trades may have full advantage of the Act of last Session, it is desirable that an additional Inspector should be appointed for the textile trades, with special functions dealing with technical matters. The arrangements are nearly completed, and the appointment will, I hope, be made in a few days.
§ MR. FENWICKWill the right hon. Gentleman cause inquiry to be made as to whether there can be found a workman in the trade possessing the necessary qualifications and fitness for such an appointment; and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman take into favourable consideration the claim of such a man to the position of Inspector?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSI have endeavoured to find a fully-qualified person experienced in the practical work of the trade for this appointment.
§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)Will the appointment be for a particular district, or for the trade generally?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSFor the whole country.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)Will there be an increase in the staff of assistant Inspectors?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSThe question of an increase in assistant Inspectors is now under consideration, together with the question of re-casting the districts.
§ MR. OCTAVIUS MORGAN (Batter-sea)Can the right hon. Gentleman state if it is his intention to appoint a female Inspector as to which I addressed a letter to him a few days ago?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSThis subject is also included in matters which have been referred to the Chief Inspector for information upon facts, and I have not yet had the Report I expect. There will, I anticipate, be some difficulty in finding a district for the adequate employment of a female Inspector where women are largely employed.
§ MR. SINCLAIR (, &c.) FalkirkMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman is it contemplated that this special Inspector shall have jurisdiction over textile factories in Scotland and Ireland as well as England?
§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)Will the rule as to age and the other qualifications apply in the appointment of this additional Inspector?
§ *MR. MATTHEWSIt is a little difficult to answer these questions in detail with reference to a matter still under consideration. What I have in view is not the appointment of an ordinary Inspector, but of a special agent; and the rules in relation to the appointment of an ordinary Inspector would not apply in this case. As to what has been asked by the hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Sinclair), I may say that I have not yet decided whether the gentleman to be appointed will have time or will be able to visit the factories in Scotland as well as in England. No grievances, so far as I 582 am aware, have been reported from Scotland, but I will certainly endeavour to meet any that may be shown to exist.