asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether saw mills on agricultural estates are liable to be visited by factory inspectors under the Factory and Workshops Acts, 1901 to 1920, and whether, in that event, he will consider the advisability of introducing an amending Bill to render those Acts more suitable to the conditions of such saw mills.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - INSPECTION OF SAW MILLS.
Saw mills on agricultural estates are liable to be visited by factory inspectors if they come within the scope of the Factory and Workshop Acts, 1901 to 1920. Such saw mills on premises not otherwise under the Acts are not regarded as coming within the Acts if they are used solely for the estate to which they belong and not for manufacture for sale. I am not aware of any good reason why the law should not be the same for all saw mills engaged in manufacture for sale.
Will the Minister say if he is prepared to introduce amending legislation as regards requiring a certificate for means of escape in case of fire in respect of a shed which is open on three sides; also whether he will introduce amending legislation as to the necessity of informing his Ministry of the rural district council in whose area his saw mills are situate, when the rural district councils were abolished a year ago; and does he not think that these Acts require revision in these respects?
The Deputy must be aware personally that there has been no embarrassment to the Department in prosecuting a certain individual by reason of the fact that the district councils have been abolished.
Will the Minister answer the first portion of the supplementary question?
I think the fire has ample means of escape, and there is, therefore, no necessity for an answer.