HC Deb 25 March 1895 vol 32 cc31-2
MR. T. SEXTON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has been made aware that the Textile Operative Society of Ireland has declared by Resolution that it is absolutely essential in the interest of the textile workers that at least one female inspector under the Factory Acts should be appointed for Ireland; and, whether the appointment will be made?

MR. ASQUITH

I have not received the Resolution mentioned in the question, but some time ago I received other Resolutions to the same effect. There are now four female inspectors of factories; they are not assigned to any particular locality, but travel to every part of the United Kingdom where their services are required. Notices are exhibited in all factories and workshops in Ireland where women are employed, stating that complaints may be sent to the female inspectors, and all such complaints are promptly inquired into by one of the female inspectors. With the staff and resources which are at present at my disposal, I think that the female inspectors are more usefully employed in peripatetic visits than if they were stationed in particular districts. Special attention has been and is being given by one of them to Irish industries. It is not possible this year, I regret to say, to add to the staff.

MR. W. JOHNSTON

asked if one of the ladies had been in the habit of visiting Belfast?

MR. ASQUITH

Yes.

MR. T. SEXTON

inquired whether the right hon. Gentleman would specially consider the needs of Belfast to inspection by females in view of the large number of women employed in the textile industry there?

MR. ASQUITH

said he was well aware of the peculiar position of Belfast. He quite agreed that that city required supervision by female inspectors, and he would take care there was no neglect in that respect.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

asked if any of the four ladies had been selected from Ireland.

MR. ASQUITH

One is an Irish lady by birth.