§ Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he is aware that it has been for many years past the practice of school teachers, managers, and local education authorities to give advice, information, and assistance to boys and girls with respect to the choice of employment or other matters bearing thereon; whether the statement in Circular 743, that the Board of Education contemplate early legislation with a view to giving local authorities statutory powers for the purpose of giving such assistance and advice, is intended to convey that the present practice of local education authorities is illegal; if so, will he promote the promised legislation during the present Session; (2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Labour Exchanges are advertising very unsuitable employments for boys and girls, and visiting schools to obtain children to fill these posts; and what steps he intends to take to assist local education authorities to restrain scholars from entering such employment and to enable suitable children to remain at day or evening school and be safely and successfully launched in the labour market under the guidance of the education authority?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIn reply to these questions I hope shortly to introduce a Bill giving powers but not imposing any obligation upon local education authorities to maintain juvenile labour bureaux, through the agency of which they may be able to effect in some degree what I understand the hon. Member to desire. The details of the matter are engaging the attention of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself.