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208
1910]
Outworkers' Premises.- There were 2,114 outworkers' premises on the
register, containing 2,114 workrooms, as contrasted with 1,850 premises in the
preceding year, and with 1,831 in 1908, and 1,989 in 1907. There has, therefore,
been an increase of 264 in the number of outworkers when compared
with those of 1909, and of 125 on the return of 1907.
Particulars as to the outworkers' premises are fully set out in Table 3
(page 212) of the returns required by the Secretary of State.
The inspection of outworkers' premises is of prime importance, but the
investigations of one of the female inspectors (Mrs. Young) prove that the
list of trades, scheduled by the Secretary of State, is not sufficiently full, for it
does not include those outworkers who are engaged in trades that have a
close connection with food or confectionary. Her recent discovery in Islington
of persons engaged in preparing certain sweets for market is proof of the
fact. Indeed, so important did it seem to the Public Health Committee and
to the Medical Officer of Health, that the matter was at once reported to the
Home Office and the Local Government Board, who are believed to be about
taking action in the matter. Mrs. Young's remarks respecting cigarette
making and certain branches of confectionary work, are as worthy of attention
as they are of importance, and it is, therefore, to be hoped that these
trades will be placed before long among the scheduled trades by the Secretary
of State, for it is clear that if they are carried on under present conditions, the
articles which the outworkers prepare may be a serious danger to the public
health. Mrs. Young, soon after her discovery, took advantage of the Whitsuntide
holidays to visit Belgium, where she learned from the Minister of the Interior
that his Government had then a Bill before the House of Representatives,
which would enable him to schedule the trades of which she speaks. It is,
therefore, not too much to hope that our Government will follow suit.
Restaurant kitchens and places where food is prepared.—The
total number now on the register is 746 kitchens, with 1,030 rooms. During
the year 8 workshops with 9 workrooms were closed, while 16 with 21 workrooms
were added to the register. In the preceding year there were 738
such places, with 939 rooms.
It would be difficult to say how necessary the inspection of these places is
for the protection of the public, for cleanliness in the preparation of food is all