23. Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary how many and which local authorities have granted permission for the employment of children under 12 since the passing of the Children Act?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNew by-laws on this matter have been submitted to me by three local authorities, but have not yet been confirmed. Under the provisions of 300 the Act of this year, by-laws made under the previous Act by 11 local authorities authorising the employment of children under 12 by their parents an light agricultural or horticultural work are still in force. These authorities are the counties of Devon, Hereford, Kent. Nottinghamshire and Somerset, and the cities or boroughs of Hereford, Maidstone, Newark, East Retford, Tiverton and Tunbridge Wells.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman ask the teachers who have to teach these children what effect they think working for two hours before going to school has on their learning? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into that question?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSAs there are so many agricultural labourers unemployed to-day, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the employment of children of 12 ought to cease?