§ 21. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour if he can state the number of boys and girls under the age of 18 years who are employed more than 48 hours per week?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI regret that there is no comprehensive information available on this subject.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that such information ought to be obtained, in view of the fact that there are 382,000 young persons between the ages of 14 and 21 who are unemployed?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe most comprehensive information that we have is contained in the 4th Report of the National Advisory Council for Juvenile Employment in England and Wales, but it deals only with boys and girls in occupations where the hours are not regulated by Statute. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Report, which will go far to answer the question that he has asked.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the Government's pledge that they would do something for these juveniles in unregulated trades?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI always bear in mind every pledge that we have given.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear it in pen and in legislation, as well as in mind?
§ 12. Mr. C. EDWARDS (for Mr. ANEURIN BEVAN)asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles who have been found employment in the London area through the medium of Employment Exchanges from the depressed areas in the last 12 months; the number that are still in employment; and the number that have returned to their homes?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe numbers of boys and girls transferred from the depressed areas through the agency of the Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux to the London area, during the 12 months ended 25th February, 1933, were 125 and 583 respectively. Of these, 28 boys and 138 girls have returned home, leaving 97 boys and 445 girls still employed in the area.
15. Mr. PRICEasked the Minister of Labour how many of the 248,408 unemployed persons, aged 18 to 20 on the 20th February last, are in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONOf the 248,408 unemployed persons aged 18 to 20 on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at 20th February, 1933, 144,638 had claims authorised for insurance benefit.