§ 15. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that in a large number of factories situated in the West of Scotland particularly employing young female labour factory inspectors rarely, if ever, visit; and what steps he is prepared to take to secure safety by having proper inspection made?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Member exaggerates the position. I am informed that out of 157 factories in the West of Scotland employing young girls which were not inspected last year, 86 had been visited within a period of 15 months and all but six of them within two years. I have repeatedly stated that I am not satisfied with the present strength of the inspectorate and that I propose to set up a Committee to examine the question. As the Committee would have to take account of the new situation created by the Factories Bill, I had not contemplated appointing it until the Bill had been passed. I am very anxious, however, particularly as the Bill has been postponed till next year, that no time should be lost, and I am proposing to advance the commencement of this inquiry and proceed with the appointment of the Committee in the autumn.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman state the nature of the Committee which he intends to set up?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWell, it will be intelligent, and comprehensive, and represent the interests, I hope, of all parts of the country.
§ Mr. BUCHANANI expected that a Committee appointed by the right hon. Gentleman would be intelligent, but he seems to have misapprehended the question that I wished to ask. I wanted to ask whether it was to be a Select Committee or a Departmental Committee?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think a Departmental Committee will be quite satisfactory, and I do not want to impose upon Members the burden of sitting upon a Select Committee during the Autumn.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWhy does the right hon. Gentleman want another Committee at all? If he wants more factory inspectors, why does he not appoint them?
§ Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKHas it not been admitted by several of the right hon. Gentleman's predecessors that the number of factory inspectors has been for many years grossly inadequate?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not scrupled to admit myself in this House that it is inadequate.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWhy do you not appoint more?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is a question of finance very largely. In addition, there has to be considered the question of the further possibility of a new Factory Bill being passed. All that has to be taken into consideration. It is no good making two bites at one cherry.
§ Several hon. Members rose——
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would point out that we have many questions on the Paper to-day.