As I informed the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Hirst) on 19th December, I intend to bring most of the provisions of the Act into operation on 1st August, 1964. Certain administrative provisions, including the registration of premisesunder Section 49, will be brought into operation on 1st May, 1964. The Factory Inspectorate is being strengthened to meet the direct enforcement responsibilities falling on them. The required increase cannot be precisely calculated at this stage, but arrangements have been made to recruit initially 20–30 additional inspectors. I am also appointing a number of senior factory inspectors to undertake duties under Section 57 of the Act.

Consultations with local authority associations are making good progress. Circulars giving guidance to local and fire authorities on the administration of the Act will be issued shortly.

As regards the preparation of orders and regulations, I would refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner) on 25th November. Since that date, drafts of an order and regulations concerning first aid and of regulations concerning the certification of premises as to means of escape in case of fire have been circulated for comment.