§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Home Secretary if he has had brought to his notice the circumstances of the present dispute between a number of women dressmakers and Messrs. Ben Evans and Company, Limited, Swansea; if he is aware that it has been the practice of this firm to work illegal overtime, the women being employed in some cases as late as 11.30 on Saturday night and in other cases from 9. a.m. to 4 p.m. without a break for meals; whether the Factory Department is cognisant of this evasion of the law; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have made inquiries into this matter. The Factory Department have no reason to believe that the firm in question make a practice of working illegal overtime. They were proceeded against in July, 1909, in consequence of a complaint made to the inspector for illegal employment of women on the weekly half-holiday, but no complaint has been made 813 to the inspector since, and the number of days on which overtime employment was reported by the firm in 1910 was much below the number to which they were entitled. The whole of the premises were inspected in January last, and no serious irregularities were discovered. Any complaints that may be sent to the district inspector will be carefully investigated in the ordinary course, but no special action on the part of the Department appears to be called for.