§ 82. Mr. J. R. Bevinsasked the Minister of Labour how many employers were prosecuted in 1948 for contraventions of the Factory Acts; and how many of such prosecutions were consequent upon accidents.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)Four hundred and seventy-one and 371 respectively.
§ Mr. BevinsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the functions of the factory inspectors would be better discharged if they were to concentrate on the prevention of industrial accidents, rather than on prosecuting employers afterwards?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is the principle function of the inspectors, and it is most efficiently carried out.