§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Home Secretary if he has now made inquiries into the alleged breaches of the Factory Act at the establishment of Messrs. Ben Evans and Company, of Swansea; and if the result of his inquiries has led him to take any action in the matter?
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§ Mr. CHURCHILLInquiries have been made by the factory inspector of the district. Definite particulars of alleged cases of illegal employment have been supplied to him by a number of the workers, who have signed declarations, in pursuance of Section 119 of the Act, of the truth of their statements; and in view of these the chief inspector, with my approval, is giving directions for legal proceedings to be taken against the firm.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Home Secretary whether the actual effect of the proposed order altering the legal hours of work of dressmakers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for two months prior to the Coronation, would be to lengthen the hours and increase the labour time of the workers concerned; and, if this is not the effect of the alteration, will he explain why the order has been drafted?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe order will not extend the legal hours of work in any way. Its only effect is that dressmakers who now ordinarily work an hour a day less than the legal hours but who propose, during May and June, to work full time, will be able to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., instead of from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is understood that this arrangement is generally preferred by the workers.