§ Mr. J. BAKERasked the Home Secretary the number of factories inspected since 1st January of this year to the last convenient date; and whether he has under consideration such increase of the inspectorate, as would permit every factory being visited at least once during a year?
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§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am afraid I could not give the number of works inspected for any part of the present year without calling for a special return from each district, and I would ask the hon. Member to wait, till the end of January next when the complete figures for 1926 will be available. As I have stated on several occasions, I am not satisfied with the present strength of the Inspectorate, but I do riot think it possible to deal with this question pending the passage of the Factories Bill. As soon as that Bill has passed into law, or at. any rate has made substantial progress, I propose to set up a Committee to make a comprehensive survey of the whole position.
Mr. ROBINSONasked the Home Secretary when it is proposed to take the Second Reading of the Factory Bill?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Bill has been withdrawn for this Session. As I explained in the Memorandum on the Bill (Cmd. 2716), and also in the course of the Debate on the 26th March last on the Second Reading of the Factories Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Middlesborough, the Government Bill was introduced in order to give the different industries affected the opportunity, during the autumn and winter, of examining the proposals, of consulting among themselves with a view to arriving at agreements on disputed points, and of submitting any representations they desire to the Government. It was not proposed to proceed further with the Bill during the present Session.