§ 7. Mr. GIBBINSasked the Home Secretary how many inspectors under the Factory Acts are allocated to the Liver pool area; and, if their activities are limited to separate industries or groups of industries, will he state the number so employed?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere are three inspectors and one inspector's assistant who are exclusively employed in Liverpool and adjoining parts of Lancashire; and there are four other inspectors, including the superintending inspector for the division, who are partly engaged in work in the Liverpool area. None of these inspectors are allocated to separate industries, but one inspector and the inspector's assistant devote a considerable portion of their time to dock inspection.
§ Mr. GIBBINSCan the right hon. Gentleman say that one man or even three men could give adequate time to see that the Regulations are put into operation?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am sure that they do their best. It might be possible to secure better investigation if I had more inspectors. We do our best with the limited number of inspectors we have.
§ Mr. HAYESHave the inspectors reported to the Department that they are under-staffed, and have they asked for an increase of the staff?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI would like notice of that question.