§ 30. Mr. J. R. Bevinsasked the Minister of Labour if he will give an estimate of the respective numbers of old and slum factories and underground factories in the London area.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am unable to give such an estimate.
§ 31. Mr. Bevinsasked the Minister of Labour how many factories were visited on an average day by each factory in spector during 1948.
§ Mr. IsaacsAbout six.
§ Mr. BevinsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that as it is physically impossible for an inspector to inspect six factories in the course of a day, there is every reason why the whole administration of the Factory Acts should be reviewed?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. I do not accept that. If an inspector is to make a full routine inspection of every factory in his area, large and small, it would be difficult to inspect six a day, but many of these visits are follow-up visits to see if certain things have been done that it was advised should be done, or to make investigation of some special complaint. I am satisfied, in view of the number of inspectors we have, that they are doing their work very conscientiously.
§ Mr. A. Edward DaviesWhat progress is my right hon. Friend making with the recruitment of inspectors to cover this very important work?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is another question.