§ 13. Mr. RILEYasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to certain textile firms in the West Riding where young persons under 18 years of age are being employed on the two-shift system, and where the second shift is working until 10 p.m.; and how many firms are working young persons on the two-shift system and, approximately, the number of young persons involved?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSOrders permitting young persons of 16 years of age and upwards to be employed on this system have been granted to seven textile 1879 firms in the West Riding. I could not state, without special inquiry, the number of young persons actually employed at present under these Orders but the aggregate number that, the firms proposed to employ at the time they applied for permission, was 300 odd.
§ Mr. JAMES HUDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman asking the inspectors to have special supervision over those factories in order that he may discover some of the effects on young persons under this system?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think that it is necessary to give special instructions, because they are always very carefully looking after all questions which affect the health of employés in the factories, and this is one of the questions which will naturally be kept before them.
§ Mr. RILEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this system is to be extended and whether it, is desirable that young persons, especially girls, should be out at work after 10 o'clock at night?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI must confess that it seems to me no worse for them to be out at work at 10 o'clock at night than going home from the cinema after 10 o'clock at night. There is no difference.
§ Mr. HUDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases the factories are some distance away from the girls' homes and that they are compelled to travel considerable distances in country places, and does he not think that it is inadvisable that a system of that sort should be extended?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSEvery case that comes before me is carefully considered—the distance from the factory, the means of locomotion, every relevant consideration of that kind. I have had no complaints from the employés themselves, none whatever, and I am certainly not satisfied, as I have explained in Debates in this House before, that there is any harm from this system.
§ Mr. KELLYCan the right hon. Gentleman say if when these permits are granted any time is fixed for a reconsideration of the question by the Home Office or are they given for all time.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am afraid that I must ask for that question to be put down. I am not quite certain, and I do not want to give an answer without looking into the matter.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the right hon. Gentleman say if, in granting permission, consideration is given to the question of education and social facilities? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this system interferes with the education and social facilities of girls, and are those questions considered?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not know whether the hon. Gentleman understands the position. It does not mean that these girls work from six o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock at night.
§ Mr. BUCHANANI know that.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt means that if the ordinary period of eight hours ceases at 10 o'clock at night it begins, of course, at two o'clock in the afternoon, and the girls have all the morning free for getting fresh air.