§ 60. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government propose to take to protect young person between 14 and 18 years of age from excessive hours of labour, in accordance with their promise to deal with the matter at the earliest opportunity?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)As far as employment in factories is concerned, the matter is dealt with in the Factories Bill. If the right hon. Gentleman refers to unregulated employment outside factories, the answer is that the Government hope to propose legislation covering such cases when Parliament has come to a decision on the provisions of the Factories, Bill.
Viscountess ASTORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that strong opposition is being expressed to the overtime provisions of the new Factory Bill, which make it possible for a period of employment of 12 hours for young persons between 16 and 18?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI hope the Noble Lady is as cognisant as I am of the strong opposition that is being expressed to many other Clauses of the Bill.
Viscountess ASTORWill the Home Secretary remember,, no matter what the opposition is, that the progressive side of the Unionist party do not want to see children working 12 hours a day? That is going back.
§ Mr. PALINGYou did your best to get the miners an eight-hours' day.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI quite sympathise with the Noble Lady's view, but I am merely pointing out to her that she is not the only aggressive member of the Unionist party.