§ 29. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a new scheme for the reorganisation of the Factory Department of the Home Office is at present under consideration which will entail the creation of many new districts with consequent increases in staff, as well as large increases in administrative expenditure; what is the reason for the proposed reorganisation; and what is the estimated additional expense which will be entailed thereby?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Baird)A scheme for the reorganisation of the Factory Department was settled last year, and particulars were issued in the Press last August. The scheme provided for an increase in the number of inspection districts, but this, while it involved some re-grading, has not involved an increase in the staff. The increase in the number of districts was a measure of decentralisation, which was rendered necessary by the increase in the number of factories and workshops and the great growth of the duties devolving on the Inspectorate, and it will have the effect of bringing the district inspectors into closer relations with the factories in their districts, reducing the amount of time and money spent in travelling, and relieving the congestion which had arisen in the lower ranks of the Inspectorate. I cannot say precisely what will be the financial effect of the scheme, as, apart from, the scheme, a long overdue improvement in the scales of salaries has taken effect. On the other hand, there may be, as I have said, a considerable saving in travelling expenses, and it may be decided, in the interest of economy, not to fill up all the vacancies in the staff as was contemplated when the scheme was settled.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDo I understand that the Department is proceeding with this scheme which was arranged for more than a year ago in view of the recent circular to all the Government Departments asking them to substantially reduce expenditure?
§ Sir J. BAIRDWe are proceeding with the scheme. The circular did not pick out any particular branch, and this is one of the very last things we should economise upon, because it is a question affecting the safety of the working people.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill this scheme not involve additional expenditure which should not now be incurred?
§ Sir J. BAIRDIf my hon. Friend will read my answer, he will see that we do not anticipate any further increase of expenditure. In order to keep the expenses down, we shall not fill all the vacancies.