§ 22. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is 1563 aware that the International Labour Organisation adopted a convention in 1921 prohibiting the employment in agriculture of children under 14 during the hours fixed for school attendance and, if they are employed at other times, employment of such a character as will prejudice their attendance at school; whether he is aware that although His Majesty's Government failed to allow Great Britain to ratify this convention, several States, including Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, the Irish Free State, Italy. Japan, and Sweden, have done so; and whether, seeing that His Majesty's Government are parties to the international Labour Organisation, he will refuse to consent to the by-law proposed by the Kincardineshire education authority?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware that the International Labour Conference held in 1921 adopted a draft Convention containing provisions generally to the effect stated in the first part of the question subject to certain exceptions. I am informed that the draft Convention has been ratified by several States which, however, do not include Canada. With regard to the byelaw referred to in the last part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given on Tuesday last to the hon. Member for the Kirkcaldy Burghs. I have under consideration the objections lodged with me and have not yet reached a decision in the matter. The proposed amendment of the Kincardine Byelaw does not affect the employment of children in seasonal occupations on school days.