§ MR. J. WARDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the generally low standard of sanitation prevailing and the complete want of proper shelters for workmen in cement factories throughout the country; and whether he has power under the Factory Acts to cause such factories to be properly inspected; and, if not, whether he proposes to introduce legislation dealing with the subject.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEI am not aware that the standard of sanitation in cement works generally is low. Cement works are, of course, dusty, and the maintenance of cleanliness is not easy. I will call for special reports on the subject. As regards inspection, the inspectors have the same powers under the Factory Act in regard to cement works as they have in regard to other classes of factories and workshops. I have no reason to suppose that these are insufficient in the case of cement works.