§ Colonel DAYasked the Home Secretary whether safety-first organisations have been set up in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries in order that the personal safety of each individual employed should be adequately safeguarded, and, if so, the date of such order?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo such organisations have yet been set up, but I2440W understand the matter is being discussed by the industry. The recommendation of the recent Departmental Committee was that these organisations should be established on a voluntary basis through the mutual co-operation of the employers and workers. No Order, therefore, has been, or is intended to be, made, but the Factory Department will do everything in its power to assist the formation of such committees.
§ Colonel DAYasked the Home Secretary if the recommendation of the conference on the prevention of accidents at docks issued last year, pointing out the desirability of safety organisations and a system of self-inspection and a safety bulletin, has been carried into effect; and, if so, has this recommendation proved of service in reducing the number of accidents to workmen at the docks?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI understand that this recommendation has not yet been carried out, but I have reason to hope that the industry will take the matter up very shortly. I shall be glad to give, any assistance when and where it is needed, but it will be much better if the industry itself takes the initiative, and this was also the opinion of the conference.