§ Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many accidents have taken place in the Nangary tin-box factory, Singapore, during the past three years; how many times the factory was inspected: if he is aware that a girl, 16 years of age, had four fingers cut off recently; what action was taken against the owner; and what compensation was paid to the girl.
§ Mr. Hopkinson,pursuant to his right hon. Friend's reply [Official Report, 2nd December, 1953; Vol. 521, c. 133], supplied the following information
There is no Nangary tin box factory in Singapore and it is assumed that the question relates to the Nanyang Tin Factory. This has been inspected 58 times during the past three years.
During this period four accidents have taken place. Two of these involved minor injuries to one finger; one was an accident to an eye caused by the operator's own handling of tin strip and not attributable to the machine; and the fourth occurred when a 16 year old girl had four fingers of her left hand cut off in October, 1953. The machine on which this accident occurred was guarded and the operator had been instructed to use a hook for extracting the pressed tin. On this occasion however, the operator was using her fingers instead of the hook provided for extracting the tin. Since this accident a guard of a different type has been fitted. No court action was taken against the owner.
156WCompensation amounting to $945 has been offered to the girl.