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temperature, but recently a case from the City of Westminster has
been heard at the County of London Sessions which deals with the
point:—
"Messrs. Peter Robinson, Ltd., appealed against two convictions
by Mr. Plowden, sitting at Marlborough Street Police Court, at the
instance of Miss Lucy Deane, one of His Majesty's Inspectors of
Factories, for failing to keep a certain workshop in conformity with
the Factory and Workshops Act, 1901, in that adequate measures were
not taken for securing and maintaining a reasonable temperature. The
appellants were fined 20s. and 26s. costs on one summons, 20s. and 2s.
costs on the other, and were ordered to remedy the alleged defects
before 1st October, 1903.
"The premises in question were situated between Regent Street and
Argyll Street, W., and consisted of twenty-two workrooms on the floors
over the shop, in which 350 persons, most of them women, were
employed in cutting and making ladies' garments. The rooms, which
were heated by steam pipes, were visited on 4th February and again
on 18th February by Miss Deane, and it was alleged that they were
then too cold, the temperature varying from 54 deg. to 61 deg. in the
different rooms. In some of them gas lights were burning. Dr. Legge,
Chief Inspector of Factories, and other medical witnesses stated that
in their opinion the temperature in workshops used for sedentary
occupations should be from 60 deg. to 65 deg., and that if the gas
was used for heating purposes it would vitiate the atmosphere.
Mr. Avory stated that the appellants had spent £500 in putting
steam pipes into these rooms three years ago. He called medical and
other witnesses, who said that they considered 56 deg. to 60 deg. a
reasonable temperature, and both the forewomen of the several rooms,
who proved that none of the workpeople complained of the cold, and
that the gas was burned only when additional light was required. The
appeal was allowed, with costs, and the convictions and order were
quashed."
The Education Department recommended a temperature of between
56 and 60 degrees, and in the regulations of the London School Board
instructions are given that the temperature of the schools is not to,
exceed 60 degrees.
Inspection of Workplaces where Women are Employed.—I have again
to point Out the need for Women Inspectors; there are 46,000 females
living in the City engaged in occupations; deducting 26,000 who are in
domestic or like service, there are 2,352 laundry women, 5,299 milliners
and dressmakers, 2,390 tailoresses, and 1,256 other workers in textile
fabrics, but in addition there is a large number of female workers who
live in other districts and come into the City to business. In about.