§ 3. Mr. THORNE(for Mr. McENTEE) asked the Minister of Labour under what conditions boys are being recruited at Dagenham, by the Bata Boot and Shoe Company, to go to Zlin, Czechslovakia, for training; what steps are being taken to ensure the well-being of the boys when away from home; whether he is aware that complaints have been made in regard to the conditions prevailing in the factories owned by this firm; and whether any steps are being taken by his Department to secure that a fair British standard of conditions is secured to those working for this firm in England?
Mr. STANLEYNo boys, so far as I am aware, have been recruited from Dagenham, though a number have gone to Zlin from the Grays area. The terms of contract and training are detailed, but I shall be glad to send the hon. Member a copy of the firm's leaflet, which sets them out in full. The boys live under careful supervision in an institute, land have an English schoolmaster; they also keep in touch by correspondence, from time to time, with the local office at Grays. I am not aware of any complaints against conditions of employment in the firm's factories which would justify any intervention on the part of my Department.