HC Deb 03 May 1928 vol 216 cc1913-4
2. Mr. SEXTON (for Mr. B. SMITH)

asked the Home Secretary whether he can furnish the proportion of days devoted by inspectors of factories during 1927 to effective inspection of work places and to office work, respectively?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Rather more than 65 per cent. of the time of the district staffs was spent in inspection, and rather less than 29 per cent. in office work. The remaining 6 per cent. was taken up with special inquiries, attendance at inquests and prosecutions, and other active work outside the office.

3. Mr. SEXTON (for Mr. B. SMITH)

asked the Home Secretary whether he can furnish the number of docks, wharves, quays, warehouses, and buildings in course of erection on the registers of the Home Office on the 31st December, 1927, and the proportion of these not visited by any inspector, under the Factory and Workshop Acts, during that year; and the number of such places not visited for two years?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his previous question of the 29th March last, in which I furnished him with the figures so far as available of works not visited during 1927. As regards the latter part of the question, the number of docks, wharves and quays not visited since 1925 was 592, and the number of warehouses 2,525. For the reasons indicated in my previous reply, I am not able to give the corresponding figure for buildings but I am advised by the Chief Inspector that the number of buildings coming under the Regulations which had not been visited during the two previous years was very small.

Mr. SEXTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many of the docks, the dock regulations are not posted up, and will he make inquiries to see if the regulations are suitably carried out?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Certainly.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is only one inspector for the whole of Hull and Goole, and that it is impossible for him to do his work?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has given me information, into which I will inquire.