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74
FACTORIES BILL, 1924.
The Factories Bill, which was introduced during 1924, but which was not
proceeded with in consequence of the change of Government, contained many
excellent features, reference to which is not here necessary. It contained, however,
clauses changing the fundamental principles of inspection, and these required
serious consideration.
The Bill abolished the distinction which exists under the present law between
factories and workshops, and employed only one term "factory," and the provisions
of the Bill applied indifferently to factories of all descriptions.
Under existing Acts the provisions relating to the sanitary condition 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 factories and workshops are also enforced
by the sanitary authorities.
Under the new Bill all these provisions were to be rendered enforceable by
the Factory Inspectors, except in any factory in which mechanical power was not
used and which formed part of a dwelling or shop, or which was 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 have been the responsible administrative body. In other cases, it was proposed
that the Secretary of State might arrange for the enforcement of the provisions of
the Act in any factory in which mechanical power was not used, by the Sanitary
Authority instead of by the Factory Inspector.
It appears to be a matter of very considerable importance that the Sanitary
Authority should be responsible for the sanitation of all places within its jurisdiction
and I cannot conceive any advantage which would accrue by devolving this
particular power on to the Factory Inspector. Instead of reducing the sphere of
activity of local authorities it was contemplated when the Act was passed which
established the Ministry of Health that there would be progressive delegation of
the sanitary powers possessed by other departments of State to the Ministry of
Health as time proceeded.
Further, I believe that employers in the district, as regards such matters as
sanitation, would prefer that the local authority supervised them rather than a
central body.
The Court of Common Council communicated with the Ministry of Health,
directing the attention of the Minister to the proposals contained in the Bill, and
expressing the opinion that the existing powers of control should continue to be a
responsibility of sanitary authorities.
SANITARY ACCOMMODATION FOR CUSTOMERS ON
LICENSED PREMISES.
Attention has been given to the question of the character and extent of the
sanitary accommodation provided at licensed houses in the City for the use of
customers. In many of the places no accommodation of the kind exists.
The provision of sanitary conveniences for customers is in a totally different
legal position to the question involved by the existence of sanitary conveniences
for residents in the house, or workers in the business. In the case of residents
the usual provisions as to occupiers of dwelling houses apply and in the case of
workers the subject would appear to be controlled by appropriate sections of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1891. Provision for customers appears to be more a
concern of the Licensing Justices and, as a consequence, the attention of the
Justices was directed to the matter.