6. Mr. J. T. Priceasked the Minister of Labour if, pending the adoption of the safety and welfare recommendations of the Gowers Committee, he will introduce a short amendment to the Factories Act extending its provisions to shop assistants, warehousemen and others called upon to operate dangerous power-driven machinery in their daily occupations.
§ Sir W. MoncktonNo, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made on 1st August by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary in reply to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Merton and Morden (Captain Ryder). The proposed consultations with interested organisations have since been initiated.
Mr. PriceDoes the Minister realise that many thousands of distributive workers are working in daily contact with dangerous machinery, notably bacon slicers and presses, and that someone working in those circumstances who is injured has no similar remedy open to him as, say, a woodwork machinist would have if injured at his work? Will he take 358 steps to deal with this matter, which has been far too long delayed, even if emergency legislation is required?
§ Sir W. MoncktonWe all realise the difficulty of emergency legislation. Through my right hon. and learned Friend, the Government have expressed their general approval of what the Gowers Committee recommends, and have started consultations with the interested parties so that we may have something concrete on the whole front to suggest to the House.