§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Labour if regulations are to be issued based upon the Garrett Report in order that conditions and output may be improved in the iron foundries; is further research being conducted; when is the report to be published and will early action be taken to deal with dust in steel foundries; and if it is intended to deal with non-ferrous foundries.
§ Mr. IsaacsI assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the Report of the Joint Advisory Committee on Conditions 299W in Iron Foundries under the chairmanship of the late Mr. H. E. Chasteney, which was published last summer, and which contains a number of recommendations for the progressive improvement of general working conditions and of health and welfare services and amenities. It is not proposed, at any rate for the time being, to make statutory regulations based on the report; but the recommendations have been widely publicised and, in accordance with a suggestion made in the report, a Standing Joint Committee has since been set up under the chairmanship of a Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories, to keep under review conditions and developments in the industry. This Standing Committee will form a ready means of consultation between the Chief Inspector of Factories and the two sides of the industry on questions arising in connection with the practical implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.
The recommendations of the Committee on Dust in Steel Foundries have been followed up, but the implementation of some of them gives rise to serious technical difficulties. Working conditions in non-ferrous foundries are not being overlooked; but I am not aware of any special dangers to health or safety which require exceptional consideration.