§ 17. Mr. HARLANDasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a grinding wheel, situated in Whiteley Woods, Sheffield, in the occupation of a grinder named Hinde, has been ordered to be closed as unhealthy by an inspector of factories; that the grinding wheel has been in the occupation of the same family for three generations; that the grandfather and father of the present tenant worked there constantly until after the age of 70; that the present tenant has worked there for 50 years without a day's illness; that the closing of this wheel will throw three men out of employment without any hope of securing work elsewhere; and whether he will explain the grounds on which an order involving the consequences indicated was made?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The inspector has not made and has no power to make any such Order. What has happened is that the inspector has called on the Sheffield Corporation, as the owners, to make certain alterations necessary to bring this old grinding wheel into conformity with the Regulations recently made under the Act for the cutlery industry, but the Corporation, rather than incur the expense, has decided to discontinue the factory, and has given notice accordingly to the two or three remaining tenants.
§ Mr. HARLANDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this particular factory consists of two rooms, the windows of which are partly unglazed, and also two doors" and that only three workmen are employed? Is he aware that this particular grinding wheel is situated in a public park, that it is an object of great interest to the very many thousands of people who go through the park, and that it represents a very ancient industry?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI was not aware of all those additional facts. All I can say is that the Regulations were made after most careful consideration, purely in the interests of the health of the workmen, and that it was in consequence of the Sheffield Corporation not feeling inclined to bring this building 2174 up to a proper state that I received notice that they preferred to do away with it rather than improve it.
§ Mr. HARLANDIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is the custom of the trade to work with open windows?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat may be so.