§ Mr. Manderasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in certain factories the black-out regulations are interfering with ventilation, and are likely to have serious effects on the health of the workers; and whether he will take steps to prevent this development and call the attention of the factory inspectors to these dangers?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have heard of various cases where arrangements to obscure lights were at first made without sufficient regard to ventilation, but I have reason to believe that conditions have largely improved. I trust that employers who have not already done so will consider whether their obscuration arrangements are such as to cause undue interference with ventilation, and will where necessary adopt alternative methods of obscuration or of improving the ventilation. Factory inspectors have already devoted a good deal of attention to this matter, but they are now being reminded of its importance.
§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered complaints 532W regarding the injury to the health? of operative bakers caused by blackout regulations which involve the stoppage of ventilation; that artificial lighting is causing strain and injury to the workers' eyes; that night baking entails a waste of light and power; and if, as night baking is admittedly unnecessary, he is prepared to take steps towards its prohibition?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield) on 20th September.