§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recommendation of Mr. Shuter, factory inspector at Stoke-on-Trent, that when a pottery becomes untenanted it shall not be allowed to restart until the landlord has obtained a certificate to the effect that it is in every way a fit and proper place for the carrying on the manufacture of earthenware and china; whether the Home Office contemplates making some such regulation, seeing that the change would conduce alike to the health of the workpeople and the security of the short-term tenant, who is at present liable for all the alterations required by the Home Office?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have seen the suggestion referred to. The Departmental Committee, however, who have been investigating the subject and who had the 281 inspector's suggestion before them, did not recommend its adoption, and it could not in any case be given effect to without legislation. In the circumstances, I do not propose taking action in the matter. The recommendations of the Committee deal very fully with the structural conditions of pottery works, and will, I hope, be shortly brought into force.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDIs it not a fact that the sanitary rules already give the Home Secretary ample powers to close any factory which he finds unsuitable for the work carried on?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI must ask for notice of that question.