§ 62. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the heavy death and tuberculosis rate among commercial clerks, owing to the insanitary, overcrowded, and badly-lighted condition of the offices in which they work, he will introduce legislation to give local authorities further powers to secure the better regulation of such offices?
§ Sir K. WOODOther circumstances, besides the condition of offices, go to account for the present death and tuberculosis rates among commercial clerks. Local authorities already have certain powers to deal with conditions in offices, and my right hon. Friend cannot at the present time promise further legislation.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKDoes my hon. Friend not know perfectly well that the powers of local authorities are utterly inadequate to deal with insanitary offices?
§ Mr. WALLHEADIs the hon. Gentle man of the opinion that the reason why clerks cannot get more legislation is their weakness as an organised body?
§ Sir K. WOODThe answer to that is in the negative. In reply to the Noble Lord, I believe that the powers are some what inadequate, but the Noble Lord knows the position of Parliamentary business and the difficulty of further legislation.