Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary the number of. accidents during building operations which occurred during the last year for which statistics are available and during each of the five preceding years, respectively; and whether he has considered the advisability of seeking further powers in order to reduce these numbers?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI can give only the number of accidents reported on those building operations to which 2003W the provisions of the Factory Acts as to notification of accidents apply (see Section 105 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901). The numbers for 1924 (which is the last year for which statistics are available) and for the four preceding years are as follows: 1,089 in 1920, 1,104 in 1921, 1,120 in 1922, 1,437 in 1923, and 2,374 in 1924. The figure for the year 1919 is not available.
Draft Regulations securing greater safety were issued some considerable time ago, and have been the subject of prolonged discussion with representatives of the employers and workers concerned with a view to arriving at an agreed code. I am now advised that practically all the outstanding points have been settled, and I trust that these Regulations will be brought into force very shortly.
The extension of the Acts to such building operations as are not now included will foe considered in connection with the Factories Bill.