30.
asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an estimate of the respective numbers of old and slum factories and underground factories in the London area.
I am unable to give such an estimate.
31.
asked the Minister of Labour how many factories were visited on an average day by each factory in spector during 1948.
About six.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as it is physically impossible for an inspector to inspect six factories in the course of a day, there is every reason why the whole administration of the Factory Acts should be reviewed?
No, Sir. I do not accept that. If an inspector is to make a full routine inspection of every factory in his area, large and small, it would be difficult to inspect six a day, but many of these visits are follow-up visits to see if certain things have been done that it was advised should be done, or to make investigation of some special complaint. I am satisfied, in view of the number of inspectors we have, that they are doing their work very conscientiously.
What progress is my right hon. Friend making with the recruitment of inspectors to cover this very important work?
That is another question.