INSPECTIONS ON REGISTERED FACTORIES (Particulars)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Minister for Labour (a) how many inspections were made on registered factories by (i) the Factory Inspectorate; and (ii) the Industrial Health Unit, in 1974; and (b) of those inspections (i) how many arose from complaints received from workers, unions and others; and (iii) how many were unannounced or surprise inspections.

The Minister of State for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1974 the Factory Inspectorate of the Ministry made 5,915 inspections on registered factories. If the figure were to include those made to factory premises prior to their registration, then the figure is 6,189. Of these, 411 visits were made as a result of complaints received by the Factory Inspectorate from workers, persons living close to factories and members of the public. The majority of the complaints were about noise and air pollution from factories.

As it is not the practice for Factory Inspectors to make appointments with factory occupiers before they inspect their factories, most of the inspection visits made last year were unannounced or surprise visits. The Factory Inspectorate, however, does not keep separate statistics on unannounced or surprise inspections.

Where the Industrial Health Unit is concerned, it made 1,000 inspections in 1974. Of these, 160 inspections were made in connection with complaints. A total of 55 complaints were received in 1974; 20 (or 36%) were from workers and unions and 35 (or 64%) were from neighbouring residents and anonymous callers.

Of the 1,000 inspections made last year, about 80% were made without prior notice given to factory occupiers. However, the remaining 20% were announced visits as arrangements had to be made with the management for a suitably qualified person to be present to clarify details of processes operating in the factory.