MR. FORDE RIDLEY (Bethnal) Green, S.W.To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to a statement lately made by one of the sanitary inspectors of the borough of Bethnal Green as to the evasion of the Factory Act in consequence of workrooms being part of tenement houses, thus avoiding inspection by the authorities as to the sanitary conditions, overcrowding, and other circumstances under which the work is done; and, if so, can he give any hope of these evils being remedied by the issuing of an Order in Council or other method.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douqlas.) I do not clearly understand the Question, and I think there may be some misconception. So far as I can gather from inquiries, the statement referred to did not attribute any difficulty in enforcing the Factory Act in workrooms to the fact that they form part of tenement houses; and, as a fact, the provisions of that Act are enforceable equally in tenement houses as elsewhere. I understand that it is a rule in Bethnal Green that these houses should be visited once a month. On the information before me no question appears to have arisen which calls for further action on my part.