Mr. Whiteasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the number of the factory inspectorate, as stated in the annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1938, was 307, and that the number given on 23rd May was only 297, and as there is a great need for an increased rather than a smaller inspectorate during war conditions, what steps he proposes to take to meet this need?
§ Mr. BevinThe number 307 given in the annual report for 1938 was the authorised strength at the end of that year. The number 297 given on 23rd May was the number actually serving at that date and did not include nine technically on loan to another Department but engaged on work closely allied to their normal duties. Again excluding those nine, the number serving in my Department has since been increased to 305 and I propose to make a number of additional appointments in the next few weeks.