§ 69. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the report of Miss Meiklejohn, in the annual report of the chief inspector of factories and workshops for 1912, on the unsatisfactory character of underground workrooms, the only means of ventilation in which consisting of a grating to the street, more or less stopped up, the worst ones being near Bond Street, in Sloane Street, and Shaftesbury Avenue; also to the statement in the report of Miss Whitworth that one cellar, about 80 feet long, built under and in the middle of very large premises used by provision merchants, was just being fitted up for a workroom for the employment of several girls, and that there was no natural light, and the nearest point at each end from the external air was quite 40 feet; and whether, in view of these facts, he will adopt as a Government measure, and pass into law this Session, the Underground Workrooms Bill, which has already passed the House of Lords?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have seen the reports referred to in the question. I should be glad to see the Underground Workrooms Bill pass into law this Session, and if it is found that there is general agreement in favour of the Bill, I will certainly do my best to assist its passage.