§ 55. Mr. LIDDALLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that a youth aged 16 has been employed in a cinema in Lincoln at a wage of 6s. 8d. per week of 65 hours; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the employment of young persons for such long hours at such low wages?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)My attention had not been 1488 previously called to this case. The regulation of wages is not a matter for my Department, but, in accordance with the statement in the King's Speech, I propose to introduce this Session a Bill to regulate the hours of employment of young persons in the distributive trades. I am not at present in a position to say how far (he employment in which this youth was engaged can properly be brought within the scope of the proposed legislation, but my hon. Friend may be assured that the matter will be carefully considered.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that this case is typical of scores of thousands of people who are suffering from low wages, and is it not possible for him to collaborate with the Minister of Labour so that the Bill he is introducing covers all cases of low wages?
Viscountess ASTORIf we bring more cases like this to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman, will he see that these children come under the new Bill?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI cannot say more than that I shall give careful consideration to all the circumstances.