HC Deb 31 July 1908 vol 193 cc1956-7
MR. VERNEY (Buckinghamshire, N.)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the Reports recently made by factory inspectors dealing with the disease and mortality caused by systematic overwork of children in conditions often detrimental to health, he will consider the advisability of introducing fresh legislation for the purpose of increasing the penalties for such offences under the Employment of Children Act, 1903, and in cases of repeated conviction for these offences for providing for the imprisonment of those who are responsible, without option of a fines instead of the fines now imposed by the Act.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The whole question will receive my careful consideration, and I will bear in mind the point which the hon. Member raises as to the adequacy of the existing penalties.

MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been drawn to the Report on pages 178 ff. of the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops for 1907, with respect to the employment of children in the North of Ireland; and whether, if such cases as that of L. M. described by the inspector are cognisable under the Acts relating to the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, he will instruct the inspectors to cause proceedings to be taken under those Acts in all similar cases.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I am aware of the Report in question. The circumstances do not seem to be such as would suffice to establish a charge of wilful neglect or ill-treatment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act; but the whole question raised by these Reports will receive my careful consideration.

MR. HUGH LAW

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Chief Lady Inspector on pages 152 ff. of the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops for 1907, with regard to complaints relating to conditions of employment or supervision of the work of young women and girls which, directly or indirectly, affect conduct or morality injuriously, and to her Report on pages 184 ff. of the same Report with regard to employment after childbirth; and whether he will consider the introduction of legislation with respect to either or both of these matters.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Yes, Sir, the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector is a Report issued by my Department under my directions. The first of the questions referred to is a very far-reaching one, which arises in connection with all kinds of employment of women and not merely employment in factories and workshops. The second question is being made the subject at the present time of a comprehensive inquiry. Both will receive my full consideration, but I cannot make any statement as to the possibility of legislation.