§ MR. SUMMERSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can inform the House what is the number of girls, and what is the number of boys, between the ages of 10 and 11, and 11 and 12, respectively, who are employed as half-timers in factories and workshops in England and Wales, in Scotland, and in Ireland?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am having a Return prepared of the whole numbers of half-timers between the ages of 10 and 11, and 11 and 12, in textile factories in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cheshire, and I hope to present this Return next week. The total number of half-timers working in textile and non-textile factories throughout the United Kingdom is given in Parliamentary Returns 328 and 402 of 1890. I have no information as to workshops.
§ MR. SUMMERSWill the Return distinguish the sexes?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am afraid the answers I have received do not do so, and I should have to send out fresh Circulars to do it.