63. Viscountess Astorasked the Home Secretary how many fatal and non-fatal accidents have happened to juveniles and adults working in factories during the present year 1937; and whether there has been an increase or a decrease over a corresponding period of 1936?
§ Sir S. HoareDuring the period from 1st January to 31st October, 1937, 811 fatal and 157,842 non-fatal accidents were reported from premises under the Factory Acts. Similar figures for the first 10 months of 1936 were 742 fatal and 143,305 non-fatal. I regret that comparative figures for juveniles and adults separately are not available at present.
Viscountess AstorWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the cause of these accidents is long hours, particularly among juveniles, and is it not true that the Chief Inspector of Factories says that production is the main consideration and that safeguarding is left to the last; and will he not agree that the shortening of hours is the only way to deal with the situation?
§ Sir S. HoareWe have this question under very close consideration. I hope that the passage of the Factories Act and the increase in the number of the inspectorate will, in course of time, result in a substantial decrease in these figures.
Mr. DavidsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Bill will be introduced in this House to-morrow which would assist him in this matter, and that we shall welcome the support of all hon. and right hon. Members.