HC Deb 25 November 1925 vol 188 cc1366-7
41. Mr. MACKINDER

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of inspection has been achieved in the various trades covered by the Trade Boards Acts in each year from 1919 onwards; and what proportion of the total inspections carried out in each year were made as the result of complaints received and as a matter of routine, respectively?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Complete figures are not available for the period prior to 1922. The total percentage of establishments inspected in that year was 2 per cent.; in 1923, 21 per cent.; in 1924, 3 per cent.; and in 1925 (first nine months), 5 per cent. I am circulating a table summarising the information asked for in the second part of the question. A detailed analysis of the figures for 1923 and 1924 is contained in Appendices XV and XVI to the Ministry of Labour Report for these years (Cmd. 2481).

Miss WILKINSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it a satisfactory state of affairs that only 5 per cent. of the firms were inspected, and will he consider the advisability of appointing a sufficient number of inspectors so as to have more adequate inspection?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

What would be the cost to the Ministry of Labour of the extra investigation, which seems to be increasing from year to year?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

In this case the staff has not been increased, but a larger amount of inspection has been carried out. It has been more than doubled since 1923, and in all cases it is a question of balancing between the inspection which ought to be carried out and expenditure on the staff. I consider that the present balance is satisfactory.

TRADE BOARDS INSPECTION.
— Estimated number of establishments on Trade Boards Lists. Establishments inspected on Total number inspected.
Complaint. Routine.
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.
1922 185,969 1,779 1.0 1,893 1.0 3,672 2.0
1923 180,641 1,091 0.6 2,695 1.5 3,786 2.1
1924 171,540 1,717 1.0 3,359 2.0 5,076 3.0
1925 (first 9 months) 159,211 2,235 1.4 5,678 3.6 7,913 5.0