HC Deb 23 May 1939 vol 347 cc2257-8

Amendments made:

In page 30, line 35, after "premises," insert "the owner of any mine."

In line 37, after "take," insert "or complete."

In line 38, at the end, insert "the mine."—[Mr. W. S. Morrison.]

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

11.34 p.m.

Mr. Tomlinson

There is one aspect of the question of camouflage about which I wish for some information. I find that the powers which are asked for in this Clause are already being exercised by default under or by the waiving of another Act of Parliament in connection with factories in Lancashire. The Factories Act insists upon mills and workshops being whitewashed each year and I am given to understand that on instructions from the Home Office this year, employers have been allowed to forgo this sanitary duty in the interests of camouflage, so that mills and workshops should not stand out as possible targets and interfere with the arrangements which are being made for rehearsal "black-outs" in various parts of Lancashire. Camouflage is being achieved by waiving duties imposed by another Act of Parliament on employers, for a specific reason and in the interests of the health of employés during the summer months, and I wish to know what steps are being taken to find some better method of dealing with this matter than merely waiving the regulations under the Factories Act. I have no objection to this waiving, provided some alternative method of meeting the requirements of the employés which have been insisted on by the Factory Acts is carried out.

Lieut.-Colonel Heneage

I would like to ask why this Clause is limited to factories, public utilities and mines. In the blacking out that is taking place it may be found that other buildings are conspicuous and likely to make landmarks leading aeroplanes to danger spots. Would not the Minister be well advised to take full powers to order practically any building to be camouflaged if desirable?

11.36 p.m.

Sir J. Anderson

I do not think my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) has looked at the definition of "factory premises" in the Definition Clause. It is not an expression synonymous with "factory." As regards the point raised by the hon. Member for Farnworth (Mr. Tomlinson), I can only say it is entirely new to me and I will look into it.