§ 38. Mr. GILLasked the Home Secretary how many of the factory inspectors' assistants who were appointed in 1893 are still on the staff; and if he will give those not promoted to the post of junior inspector an opportunity of sitting for examination for that post?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe number of assistants in 1893 who are still on the staff is eight.. Four have been promoted. Of the others, none would be eligible for nomination to compete for the post of junior inspector, as they are all much above even the extended limit of age which has been fixed for candidates who have been serving as assistants.
§ 39. Mr. GILLasked how many complaints of breaches of the Factory Act were received by the factory inspector in the Darwen district between 15th February, 1912, and 30th April, 1913; how those complaints were dealt with; and how many prosecutions took place?
§ Mr. McKENNATwenty-two complaints were received from Darwen. Each complaint was investigated by an inspector, and five were found to be well founded. In two of the five it was considered necessary to take proceedings, and convictions were obtained in both cases. In the case of the remainder it was not found possible to obtain confirmation of the complaint.