§ 35. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Home Secretary whether he has any evidence to show whether accidents are on the increase in factories since the beginning of the emergency; and, if so, to what extent?
§ Sir J. AndersonThere has been some increase in the actual number of accidents since the war as compared with the corresponding period a year previously, but so far as can be judged from figures at present available it seems doubtful whether the increase is proportionately greater than the increase in the numbers employed coupled with the increased number of hours during which work is going on. This, of course, is no reason for relaxing efforts to reduce the accident rate; and the Factory Department are watching closely the trend of industrial accidents and will continue to take such steps as may appear appropriate for the promotion of safety.
§ Sir Francis FremantleIs not the increase largely due to the fact that new workers have been taken on and that they have not been used to the factories?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs I have said, there is no evidence of any proportionate increase.