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expense of the small workshops. Whether this will tend to the
ultimate good of the country is a matter for speculation. Should
separate accommodation for the sexes be enforced in every case?
Take the case of a small workshop where four women and one man
or a boy are employed or the reverse. Should separate accommodation
be enforced in such a case ? The conditions here are such as
probably obtains in almost every private house where lodgers are
received, and it does not appear to me that violation of decency
would be committed by allowing with suitable arrangements, the one
convenience for such a workshop. I am inclined to advocate the
principle that separate w.c. accommodation should not be enforced,
until the numbers employed in the workshop reach a certain
number. Say, for instance, not until the total number of workers
reached the number of five, or possibly a higher figure might be
taken; but in any case, I am of opinion that it is not necessary to
enforce separate w.c. accommodation when the workers only number
one or two of both sexes. The only result of enforcing this, is the
gradual crushing out of existence of the small workshops, owing to
increased expense.
Ventilation and Temprature.—The enforcing of the law with
regard to ventilation in workshops is the duty of the local authority;
that with respect to the maintenance of a certain temperature in
workshops is the duty of the Home Office through their Inspectors.
Now, ventilation and temperature are so closely connected, that the
present division of supervision is anything but satisfactory. If for
instance a bad form of heating arrangement is approved of by the
Factory Inspector, by its vitiation of the atmosphere of the workshop,
an alteration of the methods of ventilation may be necessary to meet
this : or again, suppose, a small workshop is allowed to be heated
by means of gas burners. Here the ventilation must be altered to
meet the circumstances. Now ventilation and heating are so closely
connected, that I am of opinion they ought to be under the supervision
of one authority, it matters not which, except to the occupier,
who would probably be relieved of much anxiety, if both these matters
"were settled by one inspection at the one time.