HC Deb 17 February 1949 vol 461 c1325
20. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the Nottingham County Council in relation to their proposed by-law seeking to prohibit the employment of school children on the land at harvest time during school terms.

Mr. Ede

I have forwarded to the County Council the objections which I have received to the proposed by-law and have asked the County Council for their observations.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the fact that many people have been protesting about the fact that they cannot get their children out of school to ordinary employment, would it not be very undesirable to encourage the practice of taking children out of school to work in the harvest?

Mr. Ede

I am asking the County Council to give me their views on the objections. In other areas in fact I have confirmed by-laws of the type put forward by the Nottinghamshire County Council, but I cannot give any decision on their application until I have considered the various replies to the objections.

Mr. Scollan

I want to ask the Home Secretary whether the Government are seriously considering using some of the million men they have marking time in the Forces, and keeping the children at school?