HC Deb 11 March 1943 vol 387 c833
1. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the number of violations of the Factory Act by employers in respect of women and young persons employed in industry is on the increase; and whether his inspectors are able effectively to check such tendencies?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)

Statistics on the point are not available, but I see no reason why the factory inspectors, as a result of their inspections and with the proper co-operation of responsible representatives of the workpeople in reporting alleged violations, should not be able to check any tendency to an increase.

Mr. Davies

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is satisfied that with the enormous growth in the number of persons employed in factories, he has a sufficient number of inspectors to see that there are no violations of the law in this connection?

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir, I do not think the inspectors are numerous enough, but I have a man-power problem as well, and I cannot increase their numbers beyond the present numbers.