§ Mr. LEONARDasked the Home Secretary when the Government will be in a position to deal with the amendment of factory and workshop legislation; and whether steps will also be taken to introduce legislation of a similar character in respect of offices?
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Captain WALLACEMy right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to make a statement in regard to legislation for the amendment of the Factory Acts. As regards offices, I doubt whether legislation of the character of the Factory Acts would be appropriate. The position of offices in relation to the existing provisions of the Public Health Acts is, as I explained recently to a deputation from the General Council of the Trade Union Congress, at present under examination.
§ Mr. LEONARDasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the statement contained on page 5 of the report of the Chief Inspector of Factories with regard to the probability of an increase in the number of accidents in industry, he will consider the introduction of legislation to make it compulsory upon employers to insure their risks in respect of workmen's compensation?
Captain WALLACEThe increase in accidents referred to by the Chief Inspector is the increase which follows on increased employment and prosperity,
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Average annual prices of first and second quality Pat Cattle, Fat Sheep and Pork Pigs sold at representative markets in England and Wales for the years 1913 to 1935. Year. Fat Cattle (Shorthorns), per live cwt. Fat Sheep (Crossbreds), per lb. dead weight. Fat Pigs (Porkers), per score dead weight. 1st quality. 2nd quality 1st quality. 2nd quality. 1st quality. 2nd quality. s. d. s. d. s. d. s d. s. d. s. d. 1913 … … … 39 7 36 4 0 9¼ 0 8½ 12 9 11 11 1914 … … … 40 4 37 0 0 9¾ 0 8¾ 11 11 11 4 1915 … … … 51 8 47 4 0 11 0 10 14 3 13 7 1916 … … … 60 2 55 0 1 1¼ 1 0 18 10 17 10 1917 … … … 78 1 71 6 1 4½ 1 3 24 8 23 7 1918 … … … 75 2 70 1 1 4 1 3¾ 20 4* 20 3* 1919 … … … 80 10 75 10 1 5¼ 1 5¼ 21 2* 21 2* 1920 … … … 95 11 89 1 1 10¾ 1 9½ 36 11 34 6 1921 … … … 88 0 78 2 1 7¾ 1 5¼ 26 11 24 9 1922 … … … 64 5 56 6 1 5¾ 1 3¼ 22 3 20 4 1923 … … … 59 10 53 0 1 4¾ 1 2¼ 19 9 18 1 1924 … … … 60 0 53 3 1 4¾ 1 2½ 16 4 14 9 1925 … … … 59 11 52 2 1 4½ 1 2¼ 18 11 17 5 1926 … … … 55 10 48 4 1 1¾ 0 11¾ 21 1 19 6 1927 … … … 50 6 43 8 1 1¼ 0 11¼ 18 0 16 5 1928 … … … 55 0 47 9 1 2¾ 1 0¾ 16 2 14 8 1929 … … … 52 4 45 10 1 1¾ 1 0 18 11 17 6 1930 … … … 52 1 45 6 1 1¾ 1 0¼ 19 0 17 6 1931 … … … 47 6 42 3 0 11½ 0 10 14 3 13 0 1932 … … … 44 10 39 7 0 8½ 0 7¼ 11 7 10 4 1933 … … … 39 10 34 10 0 9¾ 0 8¾ 12 9 11 6 1934 … … … 39 2 34 3 0 11 0 9¾ 13 9 12 8 1935 (Jan. to June) 36 5 31 11 1 0 0 10¾ 13 3 12 2 * Prices per score live weight during food control period. and in such circumstances it does not appear that there should be any increased risk of loss of compensation. Apart from the coal mining industry, which was dealt with in the Workmen's Compensation (Coal Mines) Act of last year, there is no evidence in my Department of hardship arising in this way except in isolated cases, and I cannot add anything to the replies previously given on this subject.