§ 57. Mr. S. WALSHasked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of factories and workshops visited once, the number visited more than once, and the 307 number visited during the year 1915; the number of persons on the authorised staff of the inspector of factories; and the number actually available for inspection at the end of 1915?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)I regret I am unable to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. In consequence of the loss of clerical staff in the district offices and the special calls made on the inspectors' time by war-work it has not been possible to collect the usual returns. As regards staff, the number of inspectors authorised at the end of 1915 was 222, and the number available 147, including five temporary lady inspectors.
§ Mr. WALSHIf it is impossible to state the number of factories unvisited, how was it possible to make the statement which the hon. Member made when we were discussing the question of certifying surgeons of factories?
§ Sir CHIOZZA MONEYIs my hon. Friend aware that in many industrial establishments advantage is being taken in the grossest manner of the laxity of inspection? In view of the depletion of the inspecting staff, will he have a circular addressed to industrial establishments on the subject?