§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment, in each of the cities where he is aware of small clothing factories housed in unsuitable premises, how many factory inspectors are involved, how many of such factories they are responsible for in each case, and how often such factories in the case of each city are visited by an inspector.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThere are many small clothing factories scattered among 147W towns and cities throughout the country. Some of these are in old-fashioned premises converted for factory use and in some cases the premises are unsuitable. These factories are visited by the local factory inspectors as part of the inspection programme for their districts. No special arrangements are made to allocate inspectors to deal only with clothing factories. The frequency of visits to any particular factory depends on the degree of risk to those employed there. For example, more frequent visits are paid to small clothing factories with a high risk of fire than to others.
I am writing to the hon. Member to give him fuller information about these issues.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment in what other cities outside London he is aware of small clothing factories housed in unsuitable premises; which local authorities he has contacted to supply him with information about such premises which he intends to contact in future; by what date he expects to get this information; and what action he is contemplating when he receives it.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI am aware that there are small clothing factories scattered among many towns and cities throughout the country outside London. Some of these are in unsuitable premises, for instance, in Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The Factory Inspectorate maintains close contact with local authorities in all areas, particularly on matters related to fire and public health, and will continue to do so. It has not been necessary to make special arrangements with local authorities outside London.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment when first his Department became aware of the reappearance of clothing industry sweatshops in each of the cities where he is now aware they exist; and what action has been taken in the case of each city as a result of these respective discoveries.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThere is no evidence of a reappearance of the once notorious sweatshop where young people and women were exploited for low wages. Attention is paid to clothing factories of all kinds as part of the general duty of the Factory Inspectorate, and where un-148W satisfactory conditions have not been remedied legal proceedings are instituted by the Factory Inspectorate against owners and occupiers. During the last three years legal proceedings have been taken in 17 separate towns outside of London.