HC Deb 28 October 1912 vol 43 c36
77. Mr. BOOTH

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that it is a practice for children of tender years in the Metropolis to wait at large stores and bakeries from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. to make purchases of stale bread and scraps of meat; and whether the Home Office proposes to take any steps, by legislation or otherwise, to put a stop to this custom in the case of boys of school age?

Mr. McKENNA

I am aware that this practice exists in many parts of London, though I am informed that, as a general rule, the children do not assemble so early as 4 a.m. No complaints have reached me, and I should hesitate to propose legislation to prevent children from obtaining cheap food in this way unless there were clear evidence of injury to their health.