§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will grant a Return of the number of visits paid by the female factory inspector to workshops, mills, and factories in Ireland for the year 1901; the time spent on such inspection; the districts visited; and the names of the inspectors; and if he will say what is the purport of the reports he has received as to the efficiency of the periodic visits paid by officers stationed in this country; and if he is aware that the female workers of Belfast have called for the appointment of a female resident inspector.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonNo, Sir. I do not see my way to give such a Return. If given for one year and for one part only of the 701 country it would be very misleading; while, if given for a series of years, it would involve so much work as seriously to interfere with the proper duties of the lady inspectors. I am well aware that applications for a resident lady inspector have been received from Belfast and from various other industrial centres, but I am satisfied that the present organisation of the lady inspectors department by which their services are available at any time in the part of the country where they are most required is the best.
§ MR. NANNETTICannot the right hon. Gentleman give any facilities for finding out what visits are paid by these ladies?
§ MR. RITCHIEI have said they are paid as required in all parts of the country. The female inspectors are not allocated to any particular district. They go wherever it is thought desirable they should go.