HC Deb 05 March 1941 vol 369 cc919-20
57. Mr. Culverwell

asked the Minister of Labour, whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 18 of the Third Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, recommending that lighting in factories and workshops should be improved; and what action is he taking in the matter?

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir. The test methods of lighting in factories have been the subject of practical and scientific investigation for many years, and have been specially examined by a Departmental Committee on Lighting in Factories which was reconstituted in 1937, and includes representatives of employers and workpeople as well as scientific experts. This committee issued last year a fifth report reviewing their previous recommendations in the light of war conditions, and a Code of Regulations under the Factories Act based on their recommendations was made last January.

Mr. Thorne

Have the local authorities any power to visit workshops with a view to procuring better lighting?

Mr. Tomlinson

Not to my knowledge. It is a matter for the factory inspector.

Mr. Woodburn

Will my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend to consider the recommendations of the recent Select Committee on this subject?

Mr. Tomlinson

The recommendations have been considered, and the Answer I have just given is a result of the consideration.