HC Deb 16 December 1937 vol 330 cc1320-1
36. Mr. Hollins

asked the Home Secretary whether he has prepared, or has in course of preparation, regulations dealing with sanitary conveniences on factories, and other duties of district councils under Part I of the Factories Act, 1937; and whether he will publish the regulations at a very early date so that district councils will be given time to make arrangements for carrying out duties which may involve an increase of the number of sanitary inspectors and a reorganisation of their work by the district councils?

Sir S. Hoare

I am publishing early in the New Year a guide to the new Act, which will include some information as to the duties of local authorities, and propose later to send them a fuller memorandum on the subject. So far as regulations are concerned, I do not anticipate any early change which would substantially affect the volume or organisation of their work.

Mr. Stephen

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate copies to members of this House?

Sir S. Hoare

I will certainly see that a copy is put in the Library. I am not sure that it will be possible to circulate copies, as there are a number of these documents.

Mr. Stephen

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that Members of this House are greatly interested in these regulations, and that a copy would be of very great convenience?

Mr. Mander

Could the right hon. Gentleman not consider whether he would fall in with the suggestion, as there is very keen interest in this matter all over the country?

Sir S. Hoare

I will bear the suggestion in mind, and, in any case, I will see that the two hon. Members who have referred to the matter see them.

Miss Wilkinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that during the passage of the Factories Act we were assured that points that we raised in Committee would be dealt with by regulation. Unless we are supplied with copies of the regulations, how can we keep track of what is being done?

Sir S. Hoare

I will bear that in mind, and see what can be done.