§ MR. SHACKLETON (Lancashire, Clitheroe)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state what number of employers were reported during the year 1902 by the Inspector under the Cotton Cloths Factories Act as having exceeded the nine volumes of carbonic acid (carbon dioxide) in every 10,000 volumes of air (Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, Clause 94, section 3); and whether he can state the number of prosecutions which have been instituted by the Homo Department in consequence of these reports.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas.) There were sixty-three cases in 1902 in which the inspector reported that an employer had exceeded the standard referred to; but in many cases the excess was found only in one part of the shed, while in other parts the proportion of carbonic acid was found to be below the prescribed limit. No proceedings wore instituted on these reports. I do not think the inspectors an; called upon to prosecute unless a contravention of the Act in this matter is continued or repeated after notice from the inspector.