§ 32. Mr. KELLYasked the Secretary Of State for the Home Department the period of time during which the firms who received permits for the two-shift system operated such system; and is there a periodic inspection of the factories whilst the system is in operation?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)It was provided in Section 2 of the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, 1920, under which these Orders are made, that all Orders should be in force for the same period as the Section, namely, a period of five years from the commencement of the Act. The Section has since been continued in force each year by the Expiring Laws Continuance Acts, and the effect has been to extend the duration of the Orders accordingly. The works are periodically inspected both by the district staffs and by the women deputy superintending inspectors who are specially charged with the supervision of these Orders.
§ Mr. KELLYIs a close look kept upon some of them, particularly those engaged in food production and in explosives manufacture?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI cannot give the hon. Member particulars as to any exact inspection without notice. If he will put down a question, or write to me, I will let him know exactly when an inspection has been made.