§ 20. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour to give consideration to the recruiting of workers in factories to act as assistants to the factory inspectorate in the periods between the visits made by the inspectors themselves.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir.
§ Dr. StrossWould the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that such a practice, which is now carried out in some other countries in Europe, would be of real benefit and assist the inspectorate itself?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo. My short answer did not mean that we have not looked at this matter very carefully. As I am sure the hon. Member knows, there is, and has to be, plainly exhibited in every factory the address of the local factory inspector. We feel that that is the right sort of contact; and the appointing of a member of the staff, whether a worker or one of the management, as a sort of deputy factory inspector would require new legislation and would, in our view, be quite impracticable.