HC Deb 13 July 1908 vol 192 c412
MR. H. C. LEA

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the chair contractor in Hyde and Regent's Parks has entered into the usual guarantee with the Office of Works as to paying the ordinary trade union rate of wages to his employees; whether he is aware that children are employed by this contractor on this contract; and will the First Commissioner put a stop to their employment.

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. L. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, Rossendale

The inspectors are paid 5s. and the collectors 4s. per day. I am not aware that there is a trade union of "chairmen." Children are employed solely to sell programmes of the band music, and I think it would be a pity to discourage their employment for this purpose.