HC Deb 03 February 1942 vol 377 cc1072-3W
Dr Morgan

asked the Minister of Labour whether the requirements of the Factory Acts, especially with regard to ventilation and dust extraction, are applied to workshops where voluntary workers without pay are engaged; whether he is satisfied with the conditions existing in depôts run by voluntary associations; and whether His Majesty's factory medical inspectors have visited and reported on such places?

Mr. Bevin

Generally speaking, the Factory Acts only apply to premises where persons are employed in manual labour, though they also apply to parts of some institutions carried on for charitable purposes. His Majesty's Factory Inspectors have not investigated conditions at depots where voluntary workers are engaged in packing parcels, such as I understand my hon. Friend has particularly in mind, but I am advised that dangerous quantities of dust would not usually be expected in such places. If my hon. Friend would let me have particulars of any special case which he has in mind I should be glad to arrange for it to be investigated.