§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the 780 Home Department whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories in which it is stated that 144,038 women and girls are working in laundries not regulated by the Factory Acts; and whether he proposes to take any steps to remedy their condition.
§ MR. HERBERT GLADSTONEI have had before me the Report to which the hon. Member refers. I must point out, however, that it is not quite correct to say that 144,038 women and girls are working in "unregulated laundries." The heading in the census returns from which the figure in the question is obtained is "laundry and washing service" and out of the 122,463 women in England and Wales alone who are engaged in this service but are not under the Factory Act over 73,000 are returned as "working at home." The question of legislation for unregulated laundries, i.e., laundries where not more than two persons from outside are employed, will have my careful consideration.
§ MR. H. J. TENNANT (Berwickshire)asked if the right hon. Gentleman would give a Return showing the number of persons engaged in regulated and unregulated laundries.
§ MR. HERBERT GLADSTONEasked for notice.