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estimating the number of inspections which may be made by an
Inspector, it must be remembered, that in connection with the
inspections there is a great deal of clerical work to be done; and time
is also taken up in interviewing the owners of property, where any
works are to be executed.
Briefly, it is impossible with only one female inspector to deal with
the whole of the workshops and places : but I am of opinion that
with another Inspector I should be able to have the workshops
inspected twice a year, and the out-workers homes once a year. If
the workshops and out-workers were to continue to increase (as there
is every likelihood of their so doing) it will of course, be
necessary to again consider the question of an increase of staff.
Difficulties met with in Administration of the Factory and
Workshops Act in Relative to Workshops.
Sanitary Conveniences. — It is provided in the Factory and
Workshop Act, 1902, that the Secretary of State may determine a
standard of sufficient sanitary conveniences. This is very much
needed in London. One question of importance has forced itself
upon my notice, and that is, is it absolutely necessary that w.c.
accommodation should be provided on the premises ? Many occupiers
of small workshops, if the accommdation for both sexes is not on
the premises, can make arrangements for this to be had in the
neighbourhood. I see no objection to this, provided the borrowed
convenience is not used by too many persons. If such conveniences
must be on the premises, the provision of them will fall so heavily
on the owners of small workshops and businesses, as to cause them to
close rather than go to the heavy outlay of building additional
conveniences. In connection with this question, one must have
regard to the character of the workshops. I mean that the majority
of workshops in Hackney are adapted private houses or parts of
private houses, and to bring these workshops up to the standard of
modern requirements would be ruinous to a great many of the
occupiers, who are only in a small way of business. The result will
tend to increase the number of large workshops and factories at the