§ MR. CROOKSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any complaints that employers discharge female assistants using the seats provided in accordance with the seats for Shop Assistants Act, 1899; and, if so, whether the Government is prepared to introduced legislation rendering it an offence for female assistants to be dismissed for so doing.
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe Shop Seats Act is not administered by the Home Office. Complaints have been made to the local authorities that difficulties have been placed in the way of the use of the seats by the shop assistants. I am not aware how far these complaints are justified. Even if an Act in the terms proposed by the hon. Member were passed, the difficulty of proving the offence under it would, I am advised, be so great as to render it but of little practical advantage.
§ MR. CROOKSWill the Government repeal the Act altogether, so that it may not be used as an excuse for discharging people?
§ MR. GLADSTONEIt is really not in my Department. I am not responsible for the administration of the Act, but I will certainly look closely into the whole subject.