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been entered on the register. Workshops are automatically converted, at a very small
cost, into factories by the installation of a small electric motor; the health conditions
then may no longer be inspected by the Borough Council's staff except as regards
sanitary accommodation.
The 400 factories include 54 different industries. In 209 cases men only were
employed, in 8 women only, and in 183 both sexes.
The more important industries carried on in these factories are :—
Bookbinding 15
Engineering 43
Jewellers' work 13
Metal work 13
Printing 73
Factories (No. 2) Bill, 1920.
This Bill was introduced in the House of Commons by the Home Secretary
on the 2nd August, 1926, to consolidate, and amend, the law relating to factories
and workshops. In connection therewith I submitted the following report to the
Public Health Committee: —
In a memorandum issued by the Home Office it is stated that the Bill has been
introduced in order that the different industries affected may have an opportunity during the
autumn and winter of examining the proposals for the amendment of the Factory Acts which
are being put forward by the Government.
Although on the same general lines as the Bill introduced by the preceding Government
in 1924, the present Bill differs in many respects from the former and some of the objections
of local authorities to the earlier Bill have been partially met.
Distinction between "Factory" and "Workshop" to be abolished.
The Bill abolishes the distinction which exists under the present law between factories
and workshops, and employs only one term "Factory," and, except where otherwise expressly
provided, the provisions of the Bill apply indifferently to factories of all descriptions.
Sanitary control—as now administered.
Under existing Acts the provisions relating to the sanitary conditions of workshops,
cleanliness, overcrowding, ventilation and the drainage of floors, are enforced in the first
instance by the local sanitary authority, and not by the Factory Inspectors. In the case of
factories, the Factory Inspectors are responsible. The provisions as to sanitary conveniences
in both factories and workshops are, in London and places where Section 22 of the Public
Health Acts (Amendment) Act, 1890, is in force, also enforced by the sanitary authorities.
Sanitary Authority's control to be transferred to Factory Inspector.
Under the Bill all the corresponding provisions are enforceable by the Factory Inspectors,
except in any factory in which mechanical power is not used and which forms part of a
dwelling-house or shop, or is adjacent to a dwelling-house or shop in the same occupation.
In these instances, which are few in number and of comparatively slight importance, the
local sanitary authority would still be the administrative body.
Delegation of Duty to Local Authorities.
In the earlier Bill it was proposed that the Secretary of State might arrange for the
enforcement of the provisions by the local authority in factories in which mechanical power
was not used.