§ Mr. Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity why 2,841 premises in Glasgow had not been inspected at 31st December, 1967, under the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act; how many of these have been inspected in the 11 months since December, 1967; and what are the reasons for this delay.
§ Mr. FernyhoughAt 31st December, 1967 the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act had been in force for three complete years. Local authorities have108W been encouraged to maintain a rate of inspection which would complete all initial general inspections during the first four years of the operation of the Act, i.e. by the end of 1968. The return for 1968 is not due until 31st March, 1969.
The latest figure for premises still awaiting inspection in Glasgow is 5,248. The figure of 2,841 was given in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 2nd December.—[Vol. 774, c. 358–9.] On further inquiry I find that, in arriving at this figure, no account was taken of the fact that some premises had been visited more than once, with the result that the number which had not yet received a visit by the end of last year was seriously under-estimated. I must apologise for inadvertently misleading the hon. Member in this matter.