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72
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901.
FACTORIES, WORKSHOPS AND WORKPLACES.
The work of inspection has continuously increased since the Act came into
force in 1902.
Under the Act, all Local Authorities are required to keep a Register of
Workshops, and to transmit a copy of the Annual Report of their Medical
Officer of Health upon the subject to the Home Office, this being in addition
to the copy of the Annual Report required to be sent to the Local Government
Board as heretofore.
In addition to the Register of Workshops, Registers are also kept of
Factories and Workplaces.
Every Local Authority also has definite duties with regard to "Outworkers,"
and the work under this heading is bound to largely increase when the
projected legislation respecting "Sweated Trades" is carried into effect.* The
steady increase in the number of this class of workers dealt with is shown at
page 79, under the heading of "Outworkers."
The reference book for the year contains 5,049 entries of matters affecting
Workshops, &c., referred to the staff specially engaged upon this work. The
names and addresses of 16,909 Outworkers were sent to various Local
Authorities; whilst over 2,900 notices were issued for various reasons.
The figures for the year show an increase of 99 Premises registered,
representing 405 separate Workrooms, &c.
Under a General Powers Act, passed in 1908, affecting London generally,
the Corporation possesses additional powers with respect to certain trades,
including those of a Vendor of Fried Fish, a Fish Curer, and a Rag and Bone
Dealer, which, however, are not numerous within the City.

*The "Sweated Industries Bill" and the "Trade Boards Bill" were read a first time in the House of
Commons on the 19th February, 1909, and 24th March, 1909, respectively.