§ 18. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Home Secretary whether under the Early Closing Act an assistant is given one half-day a week and there is no limit to the number of hours that may be worked; whether a young person under such Act may be employed as much as seventy-four hours a week; whether the present Early Closing Order is working satisfactorily; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to secure better conditions for shop assistants and the early closing of shops?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe hon. Member's statement of the existing law requires several qualifications, but I need not discuss them, as I recognise the need for making further provision in regard to the hours of employment in shops, especially in the case of young persons. I hope to be able to introduce a Bill dealing with the employment of young persons in shops and other occupations. The Early Closing Order is, I believe, working satisfactorily, but I cannot add anything at present to the 1357 reply given to the question asked by the hon. Member for the Elland Division on the 24th February.
§ Sir K. WOODCan my right hon. Friend indicate when the Bill will be introduced?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am afraid I cannot.
§ Major HILLSDo I understand that the Bill will only relate to young persons, or will it relate to all shop-assistants?
§ Mr. SHORTTThat is under consideration.