§ Mr. PARKESasked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of inquiries into regulations issued under sections 79 to 81 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, the titles of the regulations, the subject of such inquiries, the number of days in each case occupied by the Commissioners in conducting such inquiries, and the total legal and other expenses incurred both by the Home Office and by the Treasury on behalf of the Home Office in connection therewith; and whether he proposes in the near future to initate legislation with the view of modifying the present procedure in the interests of the manufacturing community.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe number of inquiries which have been held under section 81 of the Factory Act with regard to draft regulations is seven. The processes affected by the regulations which formed the subject of these inquiries, the number of days occupied in each case, and the cost, were as follows:—1416W
The Secretary of State understands that no expenses were incurred by the Treasury Solicitor's Department beyond those which were repaid to the Department by the Home Office, and which are included in the foregoing amounts. Expenditure was also incurred in each case by the Stationery Office for the printing of the shorthand notes and certain papers, but against this would have to be set the receipts for copies sold to objectors and others. As regards the last part of the question, certain representations have been made to the Secretary of State which will receive his consideration, but he has no grounds for thinking that generally the procedure laid down by the Act has proved otherwise than satisfactory. When the circumstances permit the Department endeavours to settle regulations in consultation with all parties concerned, so avoiding the necessity of an inquiry. This has been done in the case of the regulations as to felt hats, electric accumulators, wool, paints and colours, heading of yarn, hemp and jute, horsehair, enamelling, and nitro and amido-derivatives of benzine.
Process. Number of days occupied. Total amount paid from Home Office Vote to 6th May, 1909. £ S. d. File cutting by hand 5 712 0 9 Loading, unloading moving and handling goods in, on, or at any dock, wharf, or quay; and loading, unloading or Coaling any ship in any dock, harbour or canal 26 3,279 10 9 The spinning and weaving of flax and tow 3 414 3 9 The use of locomotives and waggons on lines and sidings in, or used in connection with, premises under the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901 13 1,897 12 6 The casting of brass or any alloy of copper with zinc 6 849 7 10 The generation, transformation, distribution and use of electrical energy 10 1,872 14 10 The coating of metal articles with a mixture of lead and tin, or lead alone 6 150 0 0 Total — 9,175 10 5