§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the statement at p. 219 of the Factories Annual Report, to the effect that many china and earthenware factories are dilapidated and in great need of hygienic improvement; and whether, seeing that recommendations for the closing of the worst of such factories have been made since 1893 by Committees and by Government experts appointed to advise the Government upon the dangerous processes, and in view of the power under Section 18 of The Factory and Workshops Act, 1901, to carry out such recommendations, he will state whether any such steps have been taken in the Potteries; and, if not, whether he will take such action.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) I am aware of the statement in the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and of the recommendations to which the right hon. Baronet refers. The Inspector of Factories, however, has no power to require the alteration or demolition of dilapidated premises. Section 18 of the Factory Act only gives power to the inspector to apply to a Court to make an order, and before an order can be made he is required to prove to the satisfaction of the Court that the condition of the premises is such as to be dangerous to health or to life or limb. So far no case has appeared strong enough to make an application under that section advisable. The general condition of the factories, though bearing little on the special dangers of the pottery industry is, however, one to which the inspectors give attention, and it is reported to me that during the past few years a considerable amount of renovation
† See page 258.711 has been done and the general condition substantially improved. Some also of the older factories have been closed. The matter shall not be lost sight.