§ MR. ARTHUR HENDERSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the number of factories not visited during 1906, and the number not visited since 1904; and whether he will give instructions for the district totals under these headings to be printed in the chief inspector's Annual Report.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe number of factories not visited during 1906 was 24,440. The number not visited since 1904 is 6,713. I do not think it would be desirable to include in the Annual Report a statement of the number of factories in each district not visited during the year or since 1904. Such figures would, as I indicated in a reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on 12th June last,† be misleading if con-
†See (4) Debates, clviii., 819.1040 sidered without reference to the character of the works or the nature of the district. The question of dealing with the arrears which arise in particular districts receives constant attention. Daring the last twelve months I have made three separate increases in the inspection staff, and I have for some time past been considering the question whether a further augmentation may not be necessary.