§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to a prosecution under the Factory Acts at the Bradford West Riding Court on the 11th inst., when a firm of manufacturers were summoned for allowing a girl to clean machinery in motion, she having been instructed to remove waste with pickers provided by the firm; is he aware that the magistrates held that the removal of waste by a picker was not cleaning machinery within the meaning of the Act; and that, on Her Majesty's Inspector asking for a case to be stated, the magistrates declined to state one; and, whether he proposes to take any further action in the matter?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYMy attention has been called to this case. Whether or not the removal of waste under the circumstances stated is "cleaning" within the meaning of the Act, is a question open to some doubt. I am in consultation with the Chief Inspector on the matter, but I am unable at present to say whether or not further action will be taken.