HC Deb 30 November 1925 vol 188 cc1822-3
59. Mr. SCRYMGEOUR

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will amend the Departmental Draft Regulation under Section 79 of The Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, so as to safeguard the lives of workmen engaged in operations upon buildings, other than premises on which machinery is being temporarily used for construction of a building or for the purpose of any addition to the structure of an existing building?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

If the hon. Member's suggestion is that the draft Regulations should be extended to cover all building operations, this could not be done without fresh legislation. Under Section 105 of the Act the power to make Regulations for building operations is limited to the premises specified therein.

Mr. SCRYMGEOUR

Seeing that the plumbers are urging protection while engaged on work at points of danger, could those Regulations not be so amended as to safeguard them and other outside workers although machinery is not being utilised?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Those regulations are the result of very prolonged negotiations between the employers and the operatives, and I do not think they can be altered at the present moment.

Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

Will the necessary legislation be included in the forthcoming Factories Bill?

Viscountess ASTOR

When is that Bill coming?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I should like to have notice of that question.