HC Deb 11 May 1944 vol 399 c2060
7. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large numbers of State employees in industry, he has made the powers of the factory inspectorate equally applicable to both State and private enterprise.

Mr. Bevin

The Factories Act itself expressly provides that it applies to factories belonging to or in the occupation of the Crown, and such factories are inspected by the factory inspectorate in the ordinary course.

Miss Ward

Have factory inspectors the right of prosecution in the case of factories owned by the State, in the same way as they have in the case of privately owned factories?

Mr. Bevin

One cannot prosecute the Crown. If a matter is wrong, then it becomes the Government's responsibility to put it right.

Miss Ward

Has the Government's responsibility always been accepted in Royal Ordnance Factories?

Mr. Bevin

I think so.

Mr. Thorne

If an accident happens in any of the Government's factories, I take it that the Government are responsible?

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir, certainly.