§ 57. Mr. Hammersleyasked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for licences to install minor equipment to improve working conditions in cotton spinning mills, the cost of which does not exceed£200, have been refused by his Department during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. DaltonFor air-conditioning plant costing£200 or less, two applications were refused in 1943 and 13 were granted. For portable industrial vacuum cleaners, nine applications were refused and three were granted.
§ Mr. HammersleyDoes that answer indicate that there is some discrimination? Why should these desirable improvements be refused when, by the terms of the Question, the amount of material and man-power required is very small?
§ Mr. DaltonThere must be discrimination so long as we receive the advice of factory inspectors, whom we always consult on this matter, as to which case is most urgent. There is not enough to go round.