HC Deb 20 May 1931 vol 252 cc1959-60
26. Mr. GRAHAM WHITE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the maximum number of hours the mui-tsai of Hong Kong may be employed under the ages, respectively, of 15 and of 10 years?

Dr. SHIELS

No girl under 15 may be employed in any industrial undertaking between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. or for more than five hours continuously. Mui-tsai are normally employed in domestic duties in the home, and there is no statutory limitation of the hours of work in domestic service.

27. Mr. WHITE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether seeing that several charitable societies in Hong Kong are receiving financial support from the Government and thereby employ inspectors, he will ask for the reports of these inspectors upon the treatment of the mui-tsai of Hong Kong?

Dr. SHIELS

I will ask the Governor whether such reports can be obtained from inspectors employed by the charitable societies.

28. Mr. WHITE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many charitable societies in Hong Kong receive financial support from the Government; how many inspectors they employ; and how many of these inspectors undertake the work of oversight of the conditions of the mui-tsai?

Dr. SHIELS

There are at least 10 such charitable societies in which Europeans are interested and in addition a large number of Chinese charitable societies. I will ask the Governor if he can obtain particulars as to the number of inspectors employed and the nature of the work undertaken by them.