§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what health regulations apply to women undertaking paid employment in their homes; by what measures they are enforced; and how many contraventions were reported in the most recent year.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI have been asked to reply. In certain specified trades, factory occupiers or contractors giving outwork are required to send lists of out-workers to district councils, which are empowered by Section 134 of the Factories Act, 1961, to put a stop to work in any place which, in the council's opinion, is injurious or dangerous to the health of persons employed therein. Section 153 of the Factories Act gives councils the necessary powers of entry, inspection and to take proceedings.
Under public health legislation, local authorities are empowered to make orders prohibiting the giving out of work in specified trades to a person living or working on premises where there is, or has been, notifiable infectious disease.
Information on the number of reported contraventions is not readily available.