§ 88. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary whether the Report of His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories on the conditions of sanitary accommodation in factories and workshops reveals a deplorable low standard among local authorities in many parts of the country; and whether, and in how many instances, advantage has been taken of Sections 4 and 5 of the Factory and Workshop Act by the Home Office acting in default and recovering from the local authority?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. 2421 As regards the latter part, many notices of defects have been sent to the local authorities, but in the event of their not taking steps to remedy them, all that the inspectors can do is to serve notices on the factory and workship occupiers requiring them to provide suitable accommodation. The root of the mischief lies in the fact that in the districts concerned the system of drainage is insufficient, that is to say, the conditions in the factories and workshops are due to circumstances for which the local authorities are responsible, and can only be remedied by the local authorities adopting improved standards. On this side the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, who have it, I understand, at present under consideration, and are about to confer with the Home Office with a view to joint action.
§ 89. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary when the amending Factory and Workshop Bill is to be introduced?
§ Mr. SHORTTI hope to introduce this Bill next Session.