§ 14. Mr. SEXTONasked the Home Secretary whether, in all docks and harbours, the safety-first appliances, such as ambulances and first-aid, have been adopted in conformity with the agreement arrived at between employers and workmen and embodied in the dock Regulations?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Chief Inspector of Factories reports that a great advance has been made in the provision of ambulances and first-aid appliances at docks, and that the requirements of the Regulations in this matter are now well complied with. If, however, the hon. Member has any place in mind where the present arrangements are not satisfactory, and will furnish me with particulars, I shall be glad to have the case investigated.
§ 15. Mr. SEXTONasked the Home Secretary if, in view of the number of accidents at the docks and harbours amounting to four a day, he will favourably consider the question of increasing the staff of inspectors under the dock Regulations?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am afraid that no increase of staff can be considered at present, and as a large percentage—probably a majority—of accidents at docks arise, not through neglect of the Regulations, but owing to such causes as careless working and lack of supervision, the best means of prevention, I think, lies in the setting up of safety first 1345 organisations at the different ports, as recommended by the Conference on Dock Accidents which sat in 1924, and in which the hon. Member took part. This question has been taken up by the Factory Department, with employers' and workers' representatives, and I am hopeful that definite and practical steps will result at an early date.