HC Deb 26 July 1949 vol 467 cc2241-2
44. Mrs. Middleton

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered a recent case at Manchester Assizes, resulting in the award of £7,500 damages to Miss Mary Marshall, as a result of injuries caused by an unprotected revolving machine shaft at the factory of S. and A. Wilkinson, of St. Oswald Street, Collyhurst, Manchester; whether he will state the date of the last visit by a factory inspector to these works; whether, in this case, any warning was given to the firm by the factory inspector concerning the danger arising from the machine in question; and if he will give an undertaking that his Department will institute proceedings against any firm who, after having been duly warned, continue to expose their workpeople to dangers of this kind.

Mr. Ness Edwards

I understand that the accident happened on 3rd July, 1947. The last previous visit by a factory inspector to the works had been on 18th March. The shaft was about eight feet above the floor and normally out of reach, and the inspector had no grounds at the time for giving the firm any special warning about it. The firm were prosecuted by the Department in connection with the accident and convicted. As regards the last part of the Question, I can assure my hon. Friend that a prosecution will be instituted in all appropriate cases.

Mrs. Middleton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in this case it was necessary to come into contact with the machine shaft in order to open the window? That being so, ought not the inspector to have taken notice of the position?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I do not think that we can expect factory inspectors to be prophets, or to see into the future. I think the factory inspector did his job properly. The accident was very regrettable.

Mr. Piratin

What was the sentence of the court in this case?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I cannot give the details without notice.