14 AUGUST 1926, Page 3

The Factories (No. 2) Bill was read for the first

time in the House of Commons last week and the text was issued. It is one of those Bills upon which the Department has worked almost regardless of changes of Government. Mr. McKenna. and. Mr. Henderson have sat upon it, and it seems to be left to the Unionist Home Secretary to hatch it out. It brings for the future under the comprehensive term, factory, premises which have hitherto been legally known as workshops. It imposes considerable advances in sanitary standards. The employment of women and children is also further regulated by clauses which have excited those who seek equality of the sexes to spurn special protection and advantages as though they were the devices of men to prevent competition with male labour.