§ 32. Mr. AMMONasked, the Home Secretary whether it is the practice of the Home Office inspectors to examine all new factories prior to operations commencing therein, in order to ascertain that all plant and equipment and the building conform to the Regulations laid down by law?
§ Captain HACKINGNo, Sir. The occupier of a factory is only required by the Act to notify the inspector within one month after he begins to occupy the factory. It is, however, the practice of the inspectors to visit any new works as soon as possible after they have received notice of occupation, and when, as not infrequently happens, they are consulted by the occupier beforehand they are always ready to give their help and advice. The local authorities have also been asked, when considering the plans of any new building intended to be used as a factory, to see that all the requirements of the Act of a structural character have been met.
§ Mr. AMMONWhat period of time is meant by the phrase "As soon as possible"; and is it not a fact that a new building may go on for a long period, and may even infringe the Regulations, without any inspection being made and until some accident happens nothing is heard of it?
§ Captain HACKINGIt is the practice to make the inspection within a month, but it cannot always be carried out. It is done as soon as possible.